85th and Aurora Ave

The King County Prosecutor’s Office has filed charges against two men for a brutal attack against a young African-American man.

According to court documents, Jason Patrick Roan and Richard Earl Miles—who are both white—approached Terrell Johnson, 25—who is black—at a bus stop on 85th and Aurora on March 23rd, and asked Johnson if he knew where they could buy crack. Johnson took offense and told the men—who were standing close to Johnson—to “please get out of [his] face,” before he pushed Miles away. Miles started swinging at Johnson. He missed, and Johnson hit back.

Documents says Roan attacked Johnson from behind with a beer bottle and shouted “come on nigger, I’m going to kill ya!” Johnson fell to the ground where the men grabbed his cell phone and continued to beat him and shout racial epithets. According to court records, Roan turned to a man watching the attack and said “It’s okay because I’m white and he is a nigger!”

Roan and Miles fled, but police were able to track them down minutes later. The men were both covered in blood, and officers found a beer bottle in Roan’s jacket. Johnson suffered a concussion and was taken to Harborview, where doctors had to use staples to close a three inch gash in the back of his head.

While being transported to the North Precinct, Roan told officers—after being advised he was being recorded on video—that he “hate[s] niggers.” Police found that Roan—who has a previous conviction for robbery—had an outstanding warrant for theft. Prosecutors also say Miller was previously convicted of assault, hit and run, DUI, reckless endangerment and violation of a domestic violence protection order.

King County prosecutors have filed the case as a hate crime, and both men are being held on $250,000 bail.