Hospital worker randomly attacked at convenience store on Monday

A medical worker experienced a random physical assault at a local convenience store on Monday evening, April 12, while on his break from his job at St. Peter Hospital.

Olympia Police were already en route to respond to a call regarding a disorderly subject, Jamal C Davis, 29, at the 7-Eleven convenience store located at 3541 Martin Way E, when they received another call from dispatch, reporting that Steve Drasnin, 55, had been allegedly punched by Davis, while inside the 7-Eleven store.

When Olympia Police arrived, Davis had fled on foot with Drasnin following, providing information to dispatch while on his route.

Olympia Police report that they stopped both Davis and Drasnin two blocks away at Kell-Chuck Glass, located at 117 Lilly Road NE. Davis was placed on the ground and handcuffed. Drasnin was interviewed by Olympia Police.

Drasnin was dressed in hospital scrubs, and told Olympia Police that he was on break and had gone to the 7-Eleven to get something to drink. Davis had walked passed the entrance, mumbling something, and Drasnin thought that Davis was talking to him. Drasnin said that he told Davis that he couldn’t hear him. At that point, Davis opened the 7-Eleven door and punched Drasnin in the face.

Olympia Police reviewed the 7-Eleven surveillance footage from two different camera views, where Davis was seen outside the store, walking back and forth across the area of the entrance beginning at 4:30 p.m. It was noted that, on the video, several customers either watched Davis or chose not to exit or enter during the course of the next several minutes. At approximately 4:50 p.m., Drasnin arrived on the scene, entering the store, waiting as other customers were in the store. then made his way toward the area of the front entrance (but still inside the store). Olympia Police stated that the video appeared appearted to show Drasnin look at Davis, then Davis opened the entrance door and punched Drasnin in the face.

Olympia Police reported that once Drasnin removed his mask for his statement, a fresh abrasion and blood on the inside of his lip were evident.

Davis was brought before the Olympia Municipal Court yesterday and had his brother appear at the hearing via video remote. Davis’ brother, Terrance Davis, provided the court with a 2018 Wisconsin ruling that Davis was not mentally fit to stand trial and told the court that he was staying with his mother in Yelm.

Davis was released from the Olympia City Jail with no bail provisions. His court date is set for May 14, 2021 at 9 a.m. for Assault in the Fourth Degree.