Seattle Crime Report

On February 15, 2025, the Seattle Police Department responded to a disturbance call at a market located at 400 Fairview Ave N. The incident involved a man, later identified as Cortez Joseph Gerideau, who was reportedly causing a scene by yelling obscenities at patrons and attempting to assault a security officer.

According to Officer Stephen Vernon, who was the first to arrive on the scene, the security officer, Mohamud Osman Farah, confronted Gerideau when he began disturbing the market. Gerideau reacted by throwing a chair at Farah and subsequently attempting to strike him again with the chair. A scuffle ensued, during which Farah defended himself, and Gerideau ultimately used his hands and feet to further the altercation.

Witnesses backed the security officer's account of the events, and Farah was unharmed in the exchange. Meanwhile, Gerideau left the scene on foot but was later located by police officers. Upon being approached by law enforcement, Gerideau claimed that he did not hit anyone and mentioned being involved in an altercation at 400 Fairview Ave.

Following a spontaneous admission of involvement in the incident, Cortez Joseph Gerideau was placed under arrest for Assault in the Fourth Degree. The Seattle Fire Department's Ladder 4 unit provided medical attention to Gerideau, who reported pain to his right eye, but no apparent injuries were found.

Gerideau was then transported to the King County Jail, where he was booked. The incident was documented by Officer Stephen Vernon and screened by Sergeant Troy Johnson. Photos of the suspect taken during and after the incident were submitted as evidence in the case.