Seattle police report that a 39-year-old man brutally assaulted his mother after she refused to give him more money to send to a Chinese TikTok personality.
According to officers, the victim suffered several broken ribs and internal injuries, including intestinal bleeding. She was also choked until she lost consciousness. The violent incident happened inside an apartment located on the 700 block of East Olive Way in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
After the attack, the woman managed to drive herself to Harborview Medical Center but collapsed shortly afterward. Police were called to the hospital just before 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday following a 911 report.
Police spokesperson Eric Muñoz explained that the son had become obsessed with someone he believed to be a popular TikTok creator based in China. The supposed influencer had requested $300, which the mother provided. However, when the son demanded additional funds in hopes of meeting this person face-to-face, his mother declined. Enraged by her refusal, he allegedly attacked her.
Muñoz added that the mother disclosed she had been assaulted by her son once before, back in 2005, but had chosen not to file a report at that time.
Authorities have no confirmation about the identity of the TikTok figure, the reason for the monetary request, or whether the account is genuine. Muñoz suggested the profile might belong to a scammer, though there is no evidence to prove this.
When officers attempted to apprehend the man at his Seattle residence, he was not there. Investigators believe he may have traveled to China in pursuit of meeting the TikTok star.
