SEATTLE — An elderly woman was the victim of a shocking daytime assault in the Rainier Beach neighborhood more than three weeks ago, leaving her family seeking justice. Emma Cotton, 88, was attacked on her back porch as she went about her usual chores on October 13. The suspect remains elusive as authorities continue their investigation into the brutal incident.
Cotton’s sons recounted the harrowing details of the attack, describing how a stranger approached her from behind and began to assault her. “She felt someone breathing right behind her,” said Ricky Stuart Cotton. “The moment she turned around, he started punching her.”
Despite enduring a vicious assault that left her with injuries, including fractured ribs, Cotton tried to negotiate with her attacker. As he demanded her jewelry, she offered to take it off herself. “She said, ‘If you want it, I’ll take it off and give it to you,'” recalled Marvin Charles Cotton. “But I think he was out of his mind.”
In a shocking turn, the assailant dragged Cotton into her garage and bit off one of her fingers to steal her ring before escaping the scene. Surveillance footage has captured images of the suspect, but he remains at large.
“At 88 years old, can you imagine what she must be going through?” Marvin Cotton asked. “This is a small woman who was offered no mercy. It’s terrifying to think someone would take advantage of her like that.”
Following the attack, paramedics rushed Emma Cotton to a hospital where she began her recovery. Her son Ricky expressed his distress at the sight of his mother’s injuries. “Seeing my mom’s finger bitten off and her still remaining calm was overwhelming,” he said.
Cotton’s three sons have joined forces in their pursuit of justice, urging the community to assist in finding the attacker. “We want this person off the streets to prevent this from happening to anyone else’s family,” Wes Cotton said, who lives out of state.
Despite the brutality of the attack, Emma Cotton’s spirit remains unbroken. “She fought back. She scratched, kicked, and did everything she could,” Marvin Cotton stated with pride. A dedicated member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Cotton has devoted many years to serving her community.
Recovering in a medical facility, Emma continues to showcase remarkable strength. “There was definitely something spiritual at play that allowed her to survive and fight him off,” said Ricky Cotton. His brother Marvin added, “After this, she’s not just my hero; she’s my superhero.”
As the family continues to advocate for justice, they are calling on the public for assistance. Anyone with information about the incident or who can identify the suspect is urged to contact the Seattle Police Department Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.