Seattle man charged after allegedly trying to push stranger in front of train, says ‘my twin did it’

A man in Seattle is facing second-degree murder charges after he tried to push a stranger in front of an oncoming light rail train. The suspect, Elisio Melendez, 26, was eventually tracked down by authorities, and he reportedly told them, “Maybe that was my twin that I don’t have.” Soon after, a chain of disturbing behavior in his past came to light, revealing ongoing mental health issues.

The current administration has been very clear about its intent to be tough on crime, and this wouldn’t even be the first time a violent incident at a public transport terminal has become national news. That said, authorities were relatively quick to arrest Melendez, managing to do so within a couple of days.

Since Mar. 24, Melendez has been in custody at King County Jail. Prosecutors have asked for his bail to be set at $750,000, citing concerns that he may fail to appear in court and that he poses a risk to the public. They also pointed to his past conduct, even before he was caught on surveillance footage attempting to push a stranger onto an oncoming train.

The Seattle prosecutors revealed that Melendez had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had been seeking help for his mental health for some time. In 2018, he faced his first charge when he allegedly punched a woman in a church unprovoked. In 2019, he was in trouble again after a domestic violence incident involving his sister, which left her with a stab wound to the stomach.

By 2021, Melendez was found not competent to stand trial, as it was clear he was dealing with serious mental health issues. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told the press that cases like his leave them with very limited options. On one hand, he is clearly a danger to the public.

According to Seattle’s local ABC affiliate, prosecutor Casey McNerthney said, “The reason why prosecutors are forced to dismiss that is that there’s no other legal option. You’re not gonna get it before the court. There’s no way to get a conviction.” He continued, “What prosecutors can do is try to restore competency, and even if it takes months, try to get that to where the criminal case can move forward. If it can’t and we don’t have any other legal option, then we’re stuck.”

Melendez was first committed to Western State Hospital in 2019. By 2022, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) determined he could be released and monitored under less restrictive conditions.

The DSHS justified the decision, saying, “Social workers gather information that will assist in discharge planning, focusing on many important aspects of community living. The three primary areas of focus are housing, finances, and after-care needs. Arrangements are made for psychiatric support in the community before patients are discharged.”

It’s difficult to find a solution that completely eliminates violence, even with the toughest laws or a heavy security presence. Some societal problems don’t just persist — they continue to puzzle even the experts.