The shooting happened along Seattle’s waterfront last summer, following a confrontation in which the man accused the veteran of faking his military service.
SEATTLE — Gregory Timm was sentenced for the July 31 shooting of Harold Powell Sr., a street performer and Navy veteran who was entertaining crowds near the waterfront during Seafair, Seattle’s annual summer celebration. Timm approached Powell who was in his wheelchair and challenged his military credentials.
Powell, who appeared in court nearly nine months after a bullet hit his chest, addressed Timm directly during the sentencing hearing. Timm did not speak in court.
According to prosecutors, the confrontation began when Timm accused Powell of being a fake veteran. Powell, who wore a military patch on his gear while performing, reached for his ID to prove his service. Timm then grabbed and ripped off Powell’s patch. The altercation was captured on camera.
“It was the defendant who escalated this in a way that led to him shooting Mr. Powell at close range in broad daylight in the middle of what seemed like 100 tourists on the waterfront,” prosecutor Jeff Dernbach said in court.
Timm’s defense attorney, Jesse Dubow, offered a different account of the moments before the shooting.
“Mr. Timm didn’t reach for his gun until Mr. Powell had pulled a knife and was reaching for what appeared to be a firearm but was a BB gun,” Dubow said.
Powell disputed the justification.
“You got a right to protect your life,” he said. “He wasn’t protecting his life.”
Despite what the violence has done to him, Powell struck a tone of forgiveness during the hearing.
“First thing, I forgive this gentleman. Second, I forgive myself,” he said. “I hope he wants to become a productive citizen of our state, of our county, and of our city.”
“Just because somebody has a lapse in judgment on a day does not mean that individual is not redeemable,” Powell told the court.
To ensure diverse coverage and expert insight across a wide range of topics, our publication features contributions from multiple staff writers with varied areas of expertise.
