Benjamin Anthony Varela, 36, was arrested for shooting conservative activist Tusitala “Tiny” Toese. Varela was part of a violent Antifa mob at the time. Video of the shooting looks like an unprovoked attempted murder. However, he has only been charged with first-degree assault. His bail was set at $100k.
Varela is a member of Democratic Socialists of America [DSA]. He also wrote about his involvement with Antifa online using the pseudonym “Doorknob Slobber.” He began scrubbing his social media accounts immediately after the shooting.
Watch the moment the antifa shooting suspect (Benjamin Anthony Varela, of Olympia, Wash.) is told by a detective that he’s getting charged with first-degree assault while armed with a deadly weapon, a class A felony. Full: https://t.co/Jrpm9Ojt9R pic.twitter.com/ySAyjCZL77
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) September 28, 2021
Video of one of the assaults OlyPD is investigating from 9/4. If you have any information about this crime or other assaults from that day, please contact us at 360.753.8300 or 360.704.2740 or crime stoppers 800.222.8477. Statement from our Police Chief: https://t.co/rde2dhMwv2 pic.twitter.com/10PsUGUl1x
— Olympia Police Dept (@OlyPD) September 10, 2021
