Muslim Republican candidate brutally attacked in politically motivated attack

MUKILTEO— The intersection of Highway 525 and Goat Trail Road in Old Town Mukilteo was the site of a politically motivated attack on a former Mukilteo city councilor and current GOP candidate for the Washington State House of Representatives, 21^street Legislative District, Riaz Khan.

“You fucking foreigners are coming to America, you son of a bitch.” With a tremor in his voice, Khan recalled the words the two attackers had spoken to him seconds before the brutal attack. “You fucking Trump supporter…”

According to Khan, both men began beating him with wooden stakes and shouting at him.

“If I didn’t have a hammer, they would have killed me” Khan told the Lynnwood Times. “When they saw the hammer in my hand, they backed up and left really quickly.”

Khan is in great pain both physically and emotionally following the incident.

“This is Mukilteo, we are supposed to feel safe in Mukilteo. There is currently an ongoing public safety issue. “It’s all about hate.” Khan said.

At approximately 2 a.m. on Tuesday, October 29, two white men in their 30s to 40s followed the former Mukilteo city councilor as he left Mukilteo Lane on the waterfront. Khan performed his nightly “sign patrol” along 21st Street^street District.

Khan said his signs had been stolen for weeks and residents had been sending him text messages witnessing his signs being stolen. So he patrolled the neighborhood late at night to replace the stolen signs.

On the evening/early morning of the incident, Khan parked his car southbound Community transport Bus stop located at SR-525 and Goat Trail Road, just before the Mukilteo Water and Wastewater Substation. He then crossed SR-525 to a mountain known for hosting campaign signs.

Shortly after crossing the road, a vehicle traveling southbound on SR-525 turned left onto Goat Trail Road and parked on the shoulder less than 50 feet from the intersection. Two men exited the vehicle and then approached Khan, shouting at him for his attention, which Khan ignored.

With their backs turned to them, the men struck them with wooden stakes several times, Khan said, leaving their backs bruised and battered.

Khan turned to defend himself, but the men, seeing the hammer in Khan’s hand, quickly returned to their vehicle and fled the scene, heading east on Goat Trail Road.

“I could have chased them down, but I said I would just follow the law and call the police” Khan told the Lynnwood Times. “I don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of these guys.”

Khan told the Lynnwood Times that his attackers were two white men between 30 and 40 years old. One was between 5 feet 10 inches and six feet tall and had a goatee; the other was 5 feet 5 inches tall. They were both wearing black hoodies and were of medium build. He said he had never exchanged words with the men and did not know them.

He filed a report with the Mukilteo police that morning.

“It was politically motivated and constituted a hate crime.” Khan said.

When asked if he thought it was suspicious for men to park near him and approach him at 2 a.m., he replied: Khan replied“I didn’t realize it… this is Mukilteo. People walk at night because it is safe. It’s a normal thing.”

Khan said this was the first time in his public service that he had experienced political violence against him.

In an August interview, Khan told the Lynnwood Times that he had “left” the Democratic Party because the party’s approach to issues “was no longer consistent with (his) most important values.” He also criticized the party for its lack of “leadership skills at all levels” – state, federal, party level – as well as the cause of rising grocery prices and crime.

He is a production engineer at Boeing and a well-known Mukilteo activist. Khan was elected to his first term on the Mukilteo City Council in November 2019 and was the first Muslim elected to a city council position in Snohomish County. He served on the Mukilteo City Council for four years, where he voted to increase the number of police officers in the city to enhance public safety efforts.

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police (WASPC) released its annual crime data report on Tuesday, July 9, which collects crime data across the state. Overall, the report found that when comparing 2022 to 2023 in Washington state, crime rates decreased statewide; however, hate crimes and vehicle thefts continued to increase.

The report shows that hate crimes in Washington state increased by 6% in 2023, representing a total of 576 incidents.

Khan’s opponent, Rep. Strom Peterson, condemned the politically motivated attack.

“There is no place for political violence and such an attack is unacceptable,” he added. Peterson told the Lynnwood Times. “I have known Riaz for years and appreciate his service to the community. I wish him a speedy recovery and support for his family.”

Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine said he and law enforcement will thoroughly investigate the matter.

“Mukilteo is a safe and friendly city” Mayor Marine told the Lynnwood Times. “MPD will thoroughly investigate this incident to hold these men accountable and bring justice to Khan and his family.”

Kahn’s wife, Ayesha, shared with the Lynnwood Times the night Riaz returned home beaten and battered.

“He was shaking and said, ‘Hold me tight, hold my hand.'” Ayesha said.

She added, holding back tears“What if they broke his head just because he is in politics. If something happens to him… I don’t even want to think about it.

The Khans have lived in Mukilteo for 15 years and call Mukilteo home.

“I’m shocked! Mukilteo is the safest place. I wear hijab and have no problems. Now, after yesterday, that has changed. I have many friends here, Mukilteo is very friendly. Now I have to think twice and be more careful.” Ayesha said.

She told the Lynnwood Times that she, their son or one of Riaz’s brothers would accompany him on mark patrols in the future.

“I will pray for peace and I will pray for people who have hatred towards other people in their hearts. Crime has no place here in Mukilteo or anywhere else.” Ayesha told the Lynnwood Times.