Fifth suspect sought in transit tunnel beating

King County sheriff's deputies are searching for a fifth person in connection with the beating of a teenage girl in the downtown transit tunnel in January.

The Sheriff's Office has identified a 17-year-old man named Quashawn Monroe as the fifth suspect in the beating. Monroe is also known by his nickname "Savage."

On Jan. 28, a 15-year-old girl punched another girl on the Westlake Station tunnel platform, then kicked her six times in the head as three guards looked on and called for help. Moments earlier, the victim had tried to avoid the attack by standing near the guards, surveillance video shows.

The victim, Aiesha Steward-Baker, told the guards "these kids were trying to jump me" and thought the guards would protect her, according to a King County sheriff's detective report.

Steward-Baker, 15, said police and security guards could have prevented the attack.

After the attack, four suspects were arrested: the 15-year-old alleged assailant (who is not being named because she has been charged in juvenile court); Latroy Hayman, 20; Tyrone Watson, 18; and Dominique Whitaker, 18. All four have been charged with first-degree robbery, a charge that could bring sentences of between two to four years, prosecutors said.

Detectives have probable cause to arrest Monroe, said sheriff's spokesman Sgt. John Urquhart. Monroe is 5-feet 6-inches and about 130 pounds. He has the words "Young Savage" tattooed on his forearms.

Monroe's last known address was in North Seattle. If anyone knows Monroe's whereabouts they are asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 206-296-3311, or 911.

The Times generally does not name juvenile suspects, but Monroe is being named because the Sheriff's Office considers him armed and dangerous.

Following the attack, King County announced armed sheriff's deputies would be posted at all stations within the transit tunnel. And on Wednesday, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn announced additional Seattle police officers would be assigned to the areas around the street entrances to the tunnel.

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