Seattle, Wash. – A disabled Navy veteran says he feels fortunate to be alive after being shot in the chest while performing music on Seattle’s waterfront. The suspect, who accused him of “stolen valor,” has since been arrested and is facing serious charges.
Longtime Street Performer Targeted
Harold Powell, 68, has been a familiar face along the waterfront for nearly three decades, busking to earn donations while sharing his love for music. On July 31, Powell said his ordinary day turned violent when a stranger confronted him.
The man, later identified as 32-year-old Gregory Timm, accused Powell of lying about his military service. Powell, a disabled veteran who uses a wheelchair, said he offered to show proof of his Navy background.
“I told him I’d get my military ID, but before I could, it was too late,” Powell recalled.
Shooting Caught on Camera
Prosecutors said Timm pulled a handgun from a zipped bag and fired a single shot into Powell’s chest. The incident, captured on video, shows Powell being struck and thrown backward.
“I seen the slug. I can see the heat of the slug coming at me then just, ‘Boom!’ Knocked me back,” Powell said.
The bullet fractured his ribs but narrowly missed his vital organs. Doctors told Powell they were stunned he survived. “They didn’t believe it, after all these X-rays, that I can live after being shot like that,” he said.
A Lifetime of Resilience
Powell’s military service ended in 1991 after he was struck by a drunken driver. Since 1995, he has supported himself through music, performing for passersby along Seattle’s busy waterfront.
Reflecting on the shooting, Powell said his years of Navy training and resilience carried him through the terrifying moment.
“Practiced being in bad situations all my life. Especially being on a submarine, you just gotta be ready. If you have to face that moment, you got to practice,” he said.
Choosing to Focus on Healing
While Timm was arrested shortly after the shooting, Powell said he refuses to let anger or resentment consume him.
“I refuse to complain, and I’m not going to let this guy, nothing about this guy, live in my mind for rent free,” Powell said.
Instead, he is focused on recovery, his family, and gratitude. “Moving around slowly and moving around faster. I’m just blessed, man. I can still do my thing with my family. I’m blessed,” he said.
Community Support and Legal Case
Powell’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover his medical and living expenses as he heals from the attack.
Meanwhile, Timm remains in custody at the King County Jail, held on $750,000 bail after a judge found probable cause for assault and robbery.
As Powell continues his recovery, the community has rallied behind him, celebrating both his survival and his unwavering spirit.
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