Man kills himself at Seattle Center

A Seattle man died after slashing his throat during a Hmong New Year celebration at Seattle Center over the weekend.

Terry Barlow, 44, was just inside the south entrance of the Center House about 9 p.m. Saturday when he cut himself with a razor, Seattle Center spokesman Perry Cooper said.

A witness to the incident called a Seattle Center security officer, who tried to "disarm" Barlow, Cooper said.

Three more security officers, two Center event service coordinators and a vendor working the event jumped in to help, Cooper said.

By the time they wrestled the blade away, Barlow had sliced himself and was bleeding, Cooper said.

People grabbed towels from food vendors and tried to help Barlow, Cooper said. Barlow was taken to Harborview Medical Center and pronounced dead at 9:40 p.m.

"It was a tragic situation," Cooper said. "We are grateful staff reacted as quickly as they did."

Cooper said hundreds of people, including children, were in the Center House at the time. The Hmong dance marked the end of the daylong celebration.

Details about Barlow are scarce.

Cooper said he was a transient; police said his last-known address was in Seattle. Staff at Harborview reported to police that Barlow had a green backpack, hygiene products and a sleeping bag.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com