Full Breakdown
Bellevue Police Officer Stabbing Incident
12/16/2025, 11:18:18 PM
Overview of the Incident
On December 12, 2023, a 38-year-old man, Mohamed Morray Bangura, was charged with first-degree assault and second-degree assault after allegedly stabbing a Bellevue police officer at the Bellevue Transit Center. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (KCPAO) reported that Bangura made a false 911 call to lure officers to the scene, where he subsequently attacked them with a kitchen knife.
Details of the Attack
According to court documents, Bangura fabricated a scenario to prompt police response, requesting “an officer or two” to the Bellevue Transit Center shortly after noon. Upon arrival, officers engaged with Bangura, who then produced a knife and lunged at Officer Guilherme Spagnolo, narrowly missing him. He subsequently stabbed Officer Sean Winebrenner, inflicting serious injuries including a six-inch laceration to the face and multiple stab wounds to the back and shoulders. Officer Spagnolo responded by shooting Bangura three times in the arm, leg, and hip. Both the officer and Bangura were transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment, with Officer Winebrenner later discharged, while Bangura remained in serious condition.
Background Context
Bangura had previous interactions with Bellevue police, including a September incident where he threatened a security guard while sleeping on church property. Following that encounter, he was informed that harassment charges would be referred against him. Notably, just a day before the stabbing, Bangura had called 911 to file a complaint against a Bellevue officer involved in the earlier incident, expressing animosity towards that officer.
Legal Proceedings
Bangura faces serious charges, with the KCPAO emphasizing the potential for him to commit further offenses if released. Prosecutors have requested a bail amount of $5 million, citing the severity of the attack and Bangura's prior complaints against police. His arraignment is scheduled for December 18, 2023.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of the police response have raised concerns about the circumstances leading to the incident, particularly regarding how Bangura's previous complaints were handled. Some argue that the police should have been more aware of Bangura's history, which may have influenced their response to the 911 call.
Official Statements
The KCPAO stated, “Under state law, you don’t have to make contact for an assault. It is not necessary for bodily injury to be inflicted.” They also highlighted the life-altering nature of the injuries sustained by Officer Winebrenner, emphasizing the close proximity of the attack to vital areas of the body.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Anytime you get stabbed in the face, it’s life-changing.” — Casey McNerthney, KCPAO Spokesperson
- “Instead of letting that complaint process play out, he chose to arm himself with a knife and assault two other innocent, unwitting officers who thought they were responding to a call of domestic violence,” — KCPAO Court Documents
What's Next
Bangura's arraignment is set for December 18, 2023, where further legal proceedings will determine the next steps in this case. The incident has raised questions about police response protocols and the handling of prior complaints against officers.
