A 75-year-old woman was left permanently blinded in one eye after being savagely attacked by a violent repeat offender on the streets of Seattle.

While standing outside the King County Courthouse, Jeanette Marken was struck in the face with a wooden board by Fale Vaigalepa Pea. A screw stuck in the end of the board gouged out her right eye, and she has been told she will not regain sight in that eye.

Pea, who has a long criminal history including multiple assaults and stabbings, was arrested by police after the incident. According to court records, he stabbed one person eight times at a SeaTac party in 2011 and received an 18-month sentence of community custody. In recent years, Pea has been charged with assault four times in 2023 and once in 2024.

Seattle police have arrested Pea multiple times this year for offenses including assault, indecent exposure, drug-related charges, property destruction, and unlawful use of weapons. However, none of his arrests this year resulted in felony charges being referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorneys’ office.

Pea is now charged with first-degree assault and is expected to appear for a competency hearing later this month. Prosecutors described him as “a substantial danger to the community” due to his violent history and current actions.

The incident has drawn frustration from individuals like Dyrikis, who questioned the system’s failure to protect civilians.

Jeanette Marken’s GoFundMe page has raised over $35,000 for her hospital and living expenses since the attack occurred.