Comments on A Witness Speaks. Victim, Sierra Club Organizer, Identified.

As usual, with both this post and the one preceding it, The Stranger gives us better comprehensive local news updates than we get from any other media in the city. Thanks for getting the word out about this senseless tragedy. Let's find the guy that did it and lock him up quickly.

I was walking alone, with my iPod on, with a block or two of the scene about an hour before the stabbing took place. I walk this area alone A LOT. It terrifies me to think that an individual who committed what appears to be a random act of violence is loose in the neighborhood. Before you snarky bloggers get all up in my face...I know shit goes down on the Hill. I know I live within two blocks of numerous level 3 sex offender bldgs. I know shootings and muggings take place. Despite all this, I love this neighborhood and I think I always will. Walking through Capitol Hill, alone, at night can be a calculated risk. But no one deserves to be assaulted or murdered. I feel for this woman's friends and family. It easily could have been someone I know. Just as easily, it could have been me.

Truly sad, I feel for her family, friends, and coworkers. Another good and caring person taken before her time. At least someone came to help her and the response was quick, that's comforting at least.

From the sound of it she seems typical for us transplants from Ohio, we tend to be more soft-spoken and polite than most... so I can identify with her, sadly enough.

I hope the person is caught soon and the reason, if there is one, becomes clear so that everyone who knew her can have some sense of closure for this seemingly senseless loss.

This is so sad. I want to second Mike's description of her wonderful spirit and also offer my condolences to her family and Sierra Club colleagues.

I got to know Shannon while working on the I-937 (Clean Energy Initiative) campaign. While working for the Sierra Club, she was part of the field team that played a big role in helping us get the initiative on the ballot and seeing it do so well in the East suburbs. She was a joy to work with, quiet but warm and always exhibiting enthusiasm about her work with the Sierra Club corps of volunteers. She never seemed cynical or worn down by the work; always seemed happy to be doing what she was doing, wearing the biggest of smiles at all times.

Yeah, the apparent randomness is the particularly scary part. It's much easier to try to console oneself by figuring that most murderers know their victims, and that you can thus look at the people around you and say, "Nah, not the murdering type" and go on with your life.

@2 - me too, I walk around that part of 15th all the time, either by myself or with my dog. A friend of mine was mugged on that same block a few years ago, so it's not like I think crime can't happen in the neighborhood, but this is pretty shocking.

@7. this is a very a sad loss (among many), and @3 was rudely crass. but you can't remove the comment. you can't go around removing every asshole's rant that you don't agree with.

Bill, thank you for your comment, it describes Shannon so well.

@7

I'm sorry you think my comment was rude and crass, I really don't see how it could be considered in that light but I sincerly apologize to anyone who is offended by what I intended as a sincere and heartfelt sentiment.

Hey, Packratt. #7 wasn't responding to your comment. The original third comment was in incredibly bad taste. The Stranger has since deleted it, apparently. All the best.

@9 The Stranger eliminated the original #3 and moved every post up a number. The tasteless post is no longer on the thread.

She did outreach for the Sierra Club???

If she was one of those annoying ass people on the street with a clipboard, I can see where the murderer was coming from.

@ 10 & 11

Thanks for clearing that up, I see what happened now that you've explained it. I appreciate it.

Sorry about the confusion, Packratt.

Shannon was incredibly sweet and a source of energy for everyone around her. She did such great work on every campaign I met her on. I'm so sorry and sad for her family and the wonderful people who worked with her at the Club. I know they must be in horrible shock.

So the original offensive comment #3 is back verbatim as #12. Hey Stranger, if you agree that this comment should be deleted, can you ban the ISP so this jackass doesn't keep posting the same comment all night long?

What a fucking asshat.

We mourn. Shannon and so many others are fighting for the right thing.

[@12...we mourn for you, too.]

@14

Don't worry about it, simple misunderstanding on my part and thanks to #16 I can see why you were upset.

Some trolls know no bounds, sadly enough.

Yes, Stranger, please ban #12's hateful, crass, disgusting vitriol already. Shannon's death is a horrible, sad tragedy. We must all be vigilant, aware and caring for each other. We live in a sometimes very cruel world -even here in lovely Seattle.

Shannon, you will not be forgotten. I am very sad tonight.

Although I never knew the victim Im saddened and outraged by this whole incident. But I SERIOUSLY DOUBT it was random no matter how much it may seem that way. I have a hunch that her attacker knew who she was and it sounds like the Cops finally have a prime suspect(that creepy volunteer). This crime has all the telltale signs of being the work of a stalker or some sorts.

I can't believe Shannon is gone. My thoughts are very much with her family, coworkers and friends right now.

I'm still a bit in shock over this. Shannon was one of the kindest, most open-minded people I have ever known, and such a wonderful friend. Her generosity with her time and spirit were immense, and her passion for protecting the environment was a total inspiration to all who knew her and loved her. I will miss her terribly and think of her often, especially when hiking on our backcountry lands, and especially in the Olympics, which she loved.

Unfortunately we can't ban a single person by banning their ISP account. That would ban everyone that uses that ISP account -- which can be tens of thousands of people, including other decent commenters.

@22 from Dan Savage:

Then please keep deleting this vile comment whenever they keep adding it.

For all we know this is being posted by her killer.

I know all of us who were at the No on Prop 1 victory party at Piecora's are sad to hear of this.

Dang, what a way to start the New Year ...

Condolences to everyone at Sierra Club.

@22 - thanks for the explanation.

I'm not usually in favor of comment censorship, but since the post had already been deleted once I though y'all had determined it crossed a line.

Seeing Shannon's cousin's comment in the most recent thread made me think of it again.

I didnt know my neighbor, but I wish I could have the chance now.

If it helps those of you who did know her, her face was peaceful in the end and people did run to be by her side.

I'm sorry I didnt have the where-with-all to watch the man running away more closely and longer. I had no idea what I was about to find.

I asked Jonah to mention in this article that the police are encouraging everyone to call with ANYTHING that looks suspecious. Even if you think "Aw, its probably nothing"- CALL. Let them decide if it is worth while or not.

I was verbally accosted by a man early in the morning 3 weeks ago. It happend in front of my house which is just a parking lot away from where Shaonnon lived and was attacked. I was walking my dog and this dirt bag wouldnt leave us alone. He was taking of his jacket like he wanted to fight me. I was yelling "Leave us the f$&k alone" when not one, but TWO other men walked right by just rubber necking. I guess getting to work was more important to them than helping a woman who lives in their neighborhood.

Of course I called 911 when I heard her screaming. Please dont be afraid to get involved people!

I am a friend from Ohio and was with Shannon's sister on NYE and with her after she heard the horrible news in the early hours on New Year's day.
Shannon was a unique and independant person who loved life and the outdoors. Please remain vigilant, people of Seattle and help bring her killer to justice. The loss of Shannon was a true loss to her family and friends and the people of the Northwest that she so loved.

My heart goes out to Shannon Harps family and friends, may God be with her soul.

To the poster:

"Posted by neighbor | January 2, 2008 3:23 PM"

Is it possible that the suspect/POI could be older than 40? if so HOW old?

And to anyone from Sierra Club, or have knowledge:

Do you know the name, initials will also do, or ANY other information on the man who, at som point, volunteered at Sierra Club and who bothered people at Shannon´s work?

You can email me at skovpriv@hotmail.com

Thanks you

I met Shannon a couple times and was devastated(and still am) about her tragic death. What a sweet, lovely woman. She's the same age as my daughter - - it could have easily been her because she walks to the grocery store, etc. in the dark. As a mother, I was always worried and told her not to do that, but she said, "oh, it's perfectly safe and everyone walks around in the dark on Capitol Hill." My prayers go out to her family and friends.

It was a matter of hours before I heard that Shannon was not alone at the end. You have no idea how comforting it was to hear of the witnesses efforts and support. Those of us who knew her, personally or professionally, need something like this to steady ourselves through this time. Shannon actually acted on her beliefs. She didn't preach to anyone. She simply debated with you in a respectful fashion. That is what I'd like to think she'll inspire in others...if you think something is wrong with how things are then it's up to you to DO SOMETHING about it. Look at how much one person accomplished in this community within 3 years. Thanks for all the kind words on here. It's appreciated.