Brett Forsell, who also lives in Seattle, has been accused of stalking and threatening Pramila Jayapal. He was caught late at night outside Jayapal’s house after authorities reported hearing a guy yelling that he would murder her. While Brett Forsell was originally freed on Wednesday, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s office said that he will be prosecuted with felony stalking and hate crimes against Pramila Jayapal, the first Indian American member of Congress.
NEW – the King County Prosecuting Attorney charges Brett Forsell with one count of felony stalking.
He was arrested outside Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s house with a gun pic.twitter.com/rVUACTkbI3
— Nicholas Wu is at #AAJA22 (@nicholaswu12) July 28, 2022
What happened to Pramila Jayapal at the hands of Brett Forsell?
Brett Forsell reportedly started targeting Pramila Jayapal because of her elected status, according to the arrest paperwork. According to NBC, the harassment began in January when Forsell wrote an email to the US representative expressing that he did not like her. Prosecutors say the case took a turn for the worst in late June, when Forsell started stalking and driving around the politician’s house, hurling obscenities and threats at her. Authorities said that he first stopped after being challenged by her husband, yet he would later return.
Jayapal accused Forsell of walking up to her porch and uttering anti-Indian remarks on July 9. Forsell, she alleged, said:
“Return to India.”
According to court filings, he would also rev his automobile threateningly outside the residence. Jayapal’s husband said that he also shot a pellet pistol at them. When Seattle police arrived, Forsell surrendered with his arms high. He was discovered to be in possession of a weapon. In reaction to the event, Jayapal’s spokesman, Siham Znibner, said that the lawmaker and her family were uninjured.
According to Znibner:
“Congresswoman Jayapal says that occurrences happened on Saturday night at her Seattle home while she was there.””
The statement went on:
“The Congresswoman and her family are safe, and she appreciates the numerous calls and well wishes from constituents.”
Pramila Jayapal thanked the authorities for intervening in a separate statement.
She stated:
“I am grateful to the King County Prosecutor’s Office for holding this man accountable for his dangerous actions, to the victim’s advocate for her assistance throughout the process, and to the Seattle Police Department, U.S. Capitol Police, and the House Sergeant at Arms for keeping my family, me, and my staff safe.””
According to authorities, Forsell is now subject to a Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order, which suspends his ability to own a handgun. His bail has been set at $500,000.
