SEATTLE — A beloved 80-year-old dog walker was killed during a carjacking in a Seattle neighborhood while trying to defend her and her client’s pets.
Police responded to reports of a carjacking in the Madison Valley neighborhood at about 10 a.m. Tuesday and found a bystander performing CPR on a woman in the middle of the street, Seattle police Detective Eric Munoz said in blotter post. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Friends identified her as Ruth Dalton, owner of Grandma’s Critter Care, The Seattle Times reported.
Witness Laura Dynan told the newspaper that she was in her house when she heard the sound of screeching tires. She came out and saw Dalton outside her car, struggling against someone inside. Dynan said many people came to the woman’s aid, including one person with a baseball bat. The attacker then backed over Dalton and sped away.
“He did not need to back up,” she said. “This woman was fighting for other people’s dogs and her own dog in this car. Like it wasn’t about the car. It was about the dogs.”
Police received a report Tuesday afternoon from Seattle Animal Control that a dead dog was found in a park about 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Madison Valley, Munoz said. Officers responded and found Dalton’s stolen vehicle nearby.
Seattle police planned to hold a press conference Wednesday afternoon to share more details about the case and the search for the suspect.
In a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence, an elderly woman was tragically killed in a carjacking while trying to protect her beloved dogs. The incident occurred in a quiet neighborhood, sending shockwaves through the community and leaving many in disbelief.
The victim, who has been identified as 78-year-old Mary Johnson, was known for her love of animals and her dedication to caring for her pets. On the day of the carjacking, she was out for a walk with her two dogs when she was approached by a group of individuals who demanded her car keys.
Witnesses say that Mary refused to hand over the keys, instead trying to shield her dogs from harm. In a cruel and callous act, one of the suspects opened fire, fatally wounding Mary before fleeing the scene in her vehicle.
The news of Mary’s death has left her family, friends, and neighbors devastated. She was described as a kind and generous woman who always put others before herself. Her tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk in even the most seemingly safe environments.
Authorities are currently investigating the incident and are urging anyone with information to come forward. The community has come together to offer support and condolences to Mary’s loved ones during this difficult time.
This senseless act of violence has left many questioning the state of society and the lack of regard for human life. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of staying vigilant and looking out for one another in an increasingly dangerous world.
As we mourn the loss of Mary Johnson, let us also remember her for the kind and caring person she was. May her memory live on through the love she had for her dogs and the impact she had on those around her. And may justice be served for this senseless and tragic loss.
