2 Suspects In Renton Rape Interviewed, Released

RENTON, WA — The two men identified earlier this week as suspects in a brutal rape and beating near Liberty Park have been released by police, but the investigation into the attack is still going on.

The two suspects, who were caught on a surveillance camera at the downtown Fred Meyer, were identified through tips from the public. Police interviewed the two men, but released them pending further investigation, Renton Commander David Liebman said Wednesday. They have not been eliminated as suspects, however.

The attack happened on May 29 near the downtown Renton Library at around 3 a.m. The woman was carrying a personal alarm, and was able to set it off after the attacker left. A Renton officer heard, finding the woman injured near the 300 block of Mill Avenue South.

The attacker led the woman to the Liberty Park area and then spent about an hour raping, strangling, and beating her, police said. She was taken to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, police said.

About 14 hours after the attack, the two men named as suspects were caught on camera trying to dispose of the victim's phone at an electronics kiosk at the downtown Fred Meyer. Police released those images on Tuesday, which led to tips from the public that identified the two men.