A summer afternoon on Seattle’s bustling waterfront turned into a high-profile criminal case that’s now catching the attention of both the public and the 2A community.
On July 31, 32-year-old Gregory William Timm allegedly confronted a 68-year-old man in a wheelchair along the Alaskan Way boardwalk.
Prosecutors say Timm accused the man of “stolen valor” — pretending to be a military veteran — and demanded to see his military ID. Charging documents, obtained by KOMO News, allege Timm even removed a military patch from the victim’s belongings before things escalated.
The victim reportedly took out an airsoft gun. In witness video later released by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Timm can be seen drawing a firearm and shooting the man in the chest from close range.
After firing, Timm returned the gun to his bag, raised his hands, and waited for police.
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The victim was rushed to Harborview Medical Center and later released. Timm was arrested on scene and charged with first-degree assault.
Bail was set at $750,000. Prosecutors told KOMO News they consider Timm the initial aggressor, which means they don’t believe his claim of self-defense will hold.
This case is getting even more attention because Timm has a controversial past — including a 2020 incident where he plowed his car into a Trump voter registration drive in Florida.
That background, paired with the dramatic waterfront video, has fueled an intense public reaction.
What the 2A Community Should Take Away
For lawful gun owners, this incident is a blunt reminder: concealed carry is not a license to confront, escalate, or police other people’s behavior.
Even if you think you’re in the right, the moment you start the confrontation, you’ve likely lost the legal high ground.
If you believe someone’s committing stolen valor or breaking the law, the right move more often than not is to disengage and call authorities.
Prosecutors say the victim’s airsoft pistol was still in a holster when Timm opened fire — and that detail will be front and center in court.
Washington law doesn’t shield an “initial aggressor” from prosecution, and the burden is high for proving imminent, unavoidable danger.
The 2A community’s credibility rests on modeling restraint and good judgment. Firearms are for defending life when no other option exists — not for winning arguments.
As this case winds through the courts, one thing is clear: responsible carry typically means walking away from trouble, even when your ego is screaming otherwise.
What’s your take on the Seattle waterfront shooting? Was this a clear-cut case of an aggressor losing the right to claim self-defense, or is there more to unpack here?
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Concerning this incident
Many questions
How come he is not in jail in Florida
I thought they had tuff laws to protect us
Then if he was convicted in Florida how did he get a concealed carry permit in Washington
Everyone needs to call attorney general office and get this wack job send back to Florida
It’s called DEFENSIVE gun use for the meaning of defending yourself or others from unlawful aggression. This guy Timm seems to have started the incident and then did not de-escalate or retreat to safety if possible. He needs to have the book thrown at him. He is not the police in any way. The firearm in the hands of a civilian is for defense only-not to start trouble or win arguments. He gives all CCW carriers a bad name. One bad use is more bad publicity than 10 good saving lawful uses. How did he even pass a background check after deliberately running a car into people in Florida? Did the background check system fail again? Or were his criminal acts never submitted to NICS? Be nice to have a follow up to this story on his outcome in courts.
The ongoing Federal crime that provoked the confrontation was the stolen valor. The “victim” is the perpetrator. “Victim” pulls a pistol and a knife threatening G.W. Timm who restrains taking action until the life threatening actions of the victim force G.W. Timm’s response.
Except the guy is actually a vet and Timm initiated the attack and stole a patch from him.
Where is the dd214 and accompanying paperwork that documents that verify his claims.
I’m a vet and I don’t carry my DD-214 everywhere I go. I don’t feel the need to prove to every leftist snowflake out there that I served. Timm was already a documented troublemaker.
Excuse me sir, no DD214 has been proffered, verified, nor authenticated by either side. Accompanying paperwork designating date of rank, campaign ribons, plus any medals awarded.
dd-214, i tell them it’s an experimental weapon so the response could tell a tale.
Excuse me sir, no DD214 has been proffered, verified, nor authenticated by either side. Accompanying paperwork designating date of rank, campaign ribons, plus any medals awarded.
Just how was timm even allowed to have a firearm after have used his car as a weapon?
I am always on the lookout for the “stolen valor police”. Personally I just want to mess with them. I served in two branches. I make it a point to wear patches, hats/covers, jackets and other Oohrah accoutrements from both branches at the same time. Sadly, I haven’t found one of them to gloat over. Oh well, all good things come to those who wait.
The fact that no one tackled the shooter or rendered aid to the victim shows exactly what a sewer our society has turned into.
So I am guessing he wasn’t lawfully carrying after committing a felony in Florida. But another gun law should solve that, and maybe a few more gun ban zones, right, Democrats?
I saw the video.
Nothing I saw justified shooting. And the fact that this guy took like 10 seconds to draw from concealment tells me he’s not the type who trains.
Timm should be publicly hanged for attempted murder. He is a demonstrated psychopath who has now attempted to kill multiple people without cause. Clean the gene pool.
A lot of unanswered questions rolling around in my mind. But if I were confined to a wheelchair, the last thing I would carry for self-defense would be an air-soft pistol. If I couldn’t carry a more lethal device while being confined to a wheelchair, like a real gun, a big ‘ol can of bear spray would be a better choice in my mind than a air-soft gun. Yes, it hurts getting shot by one, but it’s not what I would consider lethal.
Did they know each other before hand? How did this guy know this was a case of “stolen valor” and what gave him the right to confront the guy over it?
This kind of crap gives CCW carriers a bad name.
I’ll tell you… If you go look at a picture of Gregory William Timm, you can smell crazy on him right through the picture lol. Who made this kid a member of the “stolen valor police“ and what proof does he have the guy was even lying? If some stranger asked me for proof of my military service I’d tell them to go shit in their hat.
Did this kid even serve in the military? My guess is no but what I’m really curious about is with his arrest in Florida for driving his van into a Republican voter tent, why was that not grounds to deny him the ability to purchase a gun? This should be an interesting story to see how it unfolds.
The article says it was an airsoft gun, not a firearm to background check.
I wasn’t referring to the victim, I was referring to the shooter who obviously did have a real gun.
That guy looks like a wannabe WW II German master race moron.
so why was timm out on the street after plowing his car into trump supporters?