Seattle police release surveillance video in hunt for suspects in university district stabbing that happened last June

Seattle, Washington – Seattle police are still looking for two people they think are responsible for a fatal stabbing in the University District. They have released surveillance video and are asking the public to help them find the people involved.

The attack took place just before dawn on June 22, 2025, in the early morning. According to the police, they got calls about a stabbing in the neighborhood of Northeast 50th Street and University Way Northeast just after 4 a.m. When the police got there, they found out that a man had been injured seriously in a fight and had run away to get help.

Credit: Seattle Police Department

Read also: After record storms, Washington state pushes for FEMA support to rebuild and recover

Detectives looked at surveillance footage and saw two people walking up to the victim, who was identified as Fernando Castillo, in an alley close to the crossroads. It looks like the video shows a short argument that suddenly develops into a fight.

Castillo gets stabbed several times throughout the fight. He then rushes out of the alley and down the street for a few streets before falling down outside a store at University Way Northeast and Northeast 47th Street.

Read also: Washington AG joins multi-state effort to rein in ai-generated nonconsensual images: “I’m heartened”

Emergency workers tried to save Castillo’s life and took him to a neighboring hospital. Despite everything they tried, he later died from his injuries. The police continue to investigate the situation, and his death has been ruled a homicide.

Police say the suspects fled the area immediately after the stabbing and have not yet been identified. Investigators describe both suspects as light-skinned Hispanic or Black men.

Read also: Young suspect charged after screwdriver attack near Amazon Fresh in Seattle

Someone saw one of the suspects wearing ripped pants that were light in color, a black puffer jacket, and a chain with a gold symbol. The second suspect had on cargo-style jeans, a shiny black puffer jacket that might have had a tear on the back left side, and black gloves with a white finger-bone motif on them.

Detectives also said that the second suspect was riding a dark-colored bike with skinny tires and a bigger stem, which could help set it apart from other bikes that are often seen in the area.

Read also: Series of downtown Seattle assaults linked to suspect who fled scenes on rented bikes, police arrested the suspect

The Seattle Police Department put out the video in the hopes that someone could know the people responsible or remember seeing them before or after the crime. Investigators think that there may be people who were in the area early in the morning and could have information that helps them find the people who were involved.

The Seattle Police Department’s Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000 is asking anyone who knows anything about the suspects or where they are to call. People who call might give information without giving their name. Authorities warn that even little details could be very important as they try to make sense of and hold people accountable for the death of Fernando Castillo.