The family of deceased Burien man Mark Ebinger (pictured, left), 25, who was stabbed to death outside Good Time Ernie’s last November, has increased the reward offered to $10,000 in hopes of generating tips that will lead to an arrest.
Mark and his brother Peter, 24, were attacked outside the Burien bar on the morning of November 12, 2009. Mark died from stab wounds at the scene. Peter was stabbed numerous times, but survived.
Detectives believe there were several witnesses to the attack, and these witnesses might have information that could solve the case.
The homicide occurred outside Good Time Ernie’s Pub, located at 15747 Ambaum Blvd SW in Burien.
As we reported on Dec. 28, 2009 when we attended the family’s first press conference at the King County Sheriff’s office:
Peter recalled the attack, saying that a “few words were spoken to someone who was with us in the bar, and I told Mark we should leave…and as we left a group of guys came out the other door, a bottle was thrown at us, then they came at us with knives.”
“I was just scared, and was trying to get away,” Peter said. He also added that Mark was “kind of far away” from him in the parking lot at the time of the attack.
The Ebinger Family at the Dec. 28th press conference.
Peter also added that “someone else had words with one of the guys in the other group…” and he had no idea what was said, but is certain that the attacker(s) were in that group.
Once outside, “one guy came up in my face and tried to take a swing at me and another guy hit me from behind,” Peter continued. “I got stabbed probably six or seven times in the back…”
Peter said he’s “not planning on going back” to Goodtime Ernie’s anytime soon, “and no one I know is going back…”
Despite numerous rumors, there is no definite word on whether the attackers are part of a gang.
Mark Ebinger's brother Peter was also stabbed, but survived.
“We’re all very upset and angry, and well, you can imagine…”
Mark worked at a printing press and mostly did manual labor.
Regarding Mark’s death, Peter said: “It happened real fast and he didn’t feel much pain…”
The investigation is still ongoing.
“We know that someone out there knows something, saw something, or has heard something,” said Jim Laing. “…and that information might seem insignificant to them but it could be the information that cracks this case and we’re appealing to anyone who has any information to come forward.”
Laing continued: “No homicide case is ever closed until it’s closed, and this will remain open until it’s solved.”
On our original Nov. 12th report, there are now 105 Comments, which make for some very interesting reading – see it here – many comments are in scolding tones to those who were there that night but have refused to come forward to identify the suspect(s). Perhaps this higher reward will change that?
Crimestoppers is also offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information on the case.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours), or 9-1-1.
Story & Photos by Scott Schaefer
It must’ve been the absolute toughest Christmas ever for the Ebinger family of Burien, as they had to celebrate without their son Mark, 25, who was fatally stabbed outside Goodtime Ernie’s Nov. 12th.
On Monday (Dec. 28th), the family held a press conference at the King County Sheriff’s office in downtown Seattle, where they offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) in the fatal stabbing.
Acting Public Information Officer Jim Laing spoke, along with Mark’s brother Peter (who was also stabbed), 24, as his distraught parents, sister and girlfriend sat nearby, solemnly holding back tears; here’s the raw MP3 of the conference:
[display_podcast]
Peter recalled the attack, saying that a “few words were spoken to someone who was with us in the bar, and I told Mark we should leave…and as we left a group of guys came out the other door, a bottle was thrown at us, then they came at us with knives.”
“I was just scared, and was trying to get away,” Peter said. He also added that Mark was “kind of far away” from him in the parking lot at the time of the attack.
The Ebinger Family at Monday's press conference.
Peter also added that “someone else had words with one of the guys in the other group…” and he had no idea what was said, but is certain that the attacker(s) were in that group.
Once outside, “one guy came up in my face and tried to take a swing at me and another guy hit me from behind,” Peter continued. “I got stabbed probably six or seven times in the back…”
Peter said he’s “not planning on going back” to Goodtime Ernie’s anytime soon, “and no one I know is going back…”
Despite numerous rumors, there is no definite word on whether the attackers are part of a gang.
Mark Ebinger's brother Peter was also stabbed, but survived.
“We’re all very upset and angry, and well, you can imagine…”
Mark worked at a printing press and mostly did manual labor.
Regarding Mark’s death, Peter said: “It happened real fast and he didn’t feel much pain…”
The investigation is still ongoing.
“We know that someone out there knows something, saw something, or has heard something,” said Jim Laing. “…and that information might seem insignificant to them but it could be the information that cracks this case and we’re appealing to anyone who has any information to come forward.”
Laing continued: “No homicide case is ever closed until it’s closed, and this will remain open until it’s solved.”
If anyone has any information on this case, they should call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-274-6313.
$4,000 of the reward money comes from the Ebinger family, and $1,000 from Crimestoppers.
Here’s a video report on this case from KING-TV:
Read our previous coverage of this tragic incident here.
Mark Ebinger was just 25 when he was killed outside Goodtime Ernie's Nov. 12th.
Michael Lafreniere, Director of Burien Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services reported Tuesday (July 14th) that three out of four of the “plinth” sculptures installed in Burien’s new Town Square Park just last month were vandalized and damaged over this past weekend.
These are the smaller, more whimsical metallic sculptures that are scattered around the park and mounted on cement pedestals.
Below are before and after photos:
BEFORE (“Hikers“):
AFTER:
BEFORE (“Bike“):
AFTER:
Elements of the sculptures appear to have been broken or sawed off.
The design, fabrication and installation of the sculptures had cost $30,000.
Burien Parks is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the persons responsible for this crime, and cash rewards of up to $1,000 are paid for information leading to an arrest.
Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers immediately at (206) 343-2020 or toll free at 1-800-CRIME-13 and give the tip to police without giving his/her name.
This is the second act of vandalism in a Burien park within the last two weeks – as we reported previously, on June 28th vandals tagged the brand new picnic shelter at Seahurst Park.
