Comments on Friends, Colleagues Say Harps Was Quiet, Unassuming, Kind

the only scary thing about that sketch is that he looks like every other guy walking around our neighborhood.

I live in the neighborhood and am really saddened by this. Has there been any talk of a community meeting in response? It feels like this is a good opportunity to meet, mourn, and learn as a community.

I knew Shannon, and I'm going to miss her. She was such a wonderful human being--I loved her subtle sense of humor, her optimism, and her dedication to her work. My heart is breaking. Her family is in my thoughts.

good REPORTING, erica.

way more useful and informative and better written than the "real" newspapers.

What a tragic loss. So sad.

A few weeks ago here in SF, something similar happened -- a crazy homeless guy stabbed a young woman. This sounds like exactly the same thing.

Arguably, the woman in SF provoked the attack by attempting to befriend the crazy guy -- a kind act, but obviously dangerous, especially since it was late at night when she approached him. I wonder if Shannon made the same mistake; she sounds like the sort person who might try to help a person in need.

Three observations:

1. All I remember about her was that she was fairly quiet.

2. Just because someone gets attacked by someone doesn't mean the guy is homeless - that's just your American paranoia speaking out.

3. There is no such thing as safety. It's all pretty much an illusion. No, I'm quite serious about that, they just want you to live in Fear, and doing so won't make you safer, it will probably make you less safe.

Does "voluntarily reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions" mean that the city volunteers to reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions of the city government (e.g. driving the mayoral limousine) or that the city "volunteers" to compel its citizens to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions?

I'm with with commenter 1 - the sketch looks like a zillion hipsters living in Cap Hill. Not one bit scary. Other than that, great reporting.

Wow - I just walked to the Madison Market and there were three pairs of foot-patrol police in the surrounding blocks, they are taking this extremely seriously.

so NOW everyone likes having cops around. funny how that works.

I live in Shannon's building and worked with her on the building's co-op board. She was indeed friendly, patient and thoughtful: in a word, sweet. When a particular problem had arisen, a fellow boardmember gently kidded "You know it has to be bad when even Shannon is expressing annoyance." I last saw Shannon a few days ago while I was in the basement doing laundry. She was listening to her iPod and painting long planks of wood. We smiled and said Hi.

Everyone in the building is shocked and saddened, of course. It's still difficult to believe.

2008: the year hipsters on the hill stopped with the scruffy beard look.

I am so saddened by this horrible incident. I live a few blocks away and one of things I love about our neighborhood is how easy it is to walk from place to place. This poor woman was attacked on pretty busy street around dinner time. It mades me scared to walk around anytime now. I am praying and sending love to her friends and family.

I live in the area and I stopped walking up to the Madison Market awhile back because I was harrassed several times by weirdos hanging around outside the 7-11 across the street. I don't know what it is about that particular little block, but there are always sketchy people mulling around there. It looks like it may be a hot spot for drugs or something. Just an observation.

my 31 year old daughter lives a block away from where Shannon was killed...she also is terribly upset..she left flowers and candles..didn't know Shannon ..but just wishes she could do something :( I agree the people in the neighborhood should meet and share their thoughts..I hope they find the demon that did this..

i knew shannon pretty well and will always remember her as kind, passionate, and loving. her heart was everywhere and all she wanted to do was make the world better. i will miss her drive and hope we all continue.

lisa a

Note to #14: There's a food bank across the street from Madison Market and 711 and of course, Seattle Mental Health is just a block away...

There is nothing random about this attack.

1. Her attacker knew her or thought he knew her.

2. No one will be surprised by whom they catch when they catch the guy. You will not hear "he was the nicest fellow. We're completely shocked he did this."

3. He is under-employed / unable to hold a steady job. He is not very well educated. He does not have a steady living environment and has rarely maintained steady relationships.

4. He has committed violent crimes before. He has most likely been in either jail or prison before.

5. The police have a ton of physical evidence. They probably already know or have a very good idea of who killed her.

6. Those of you who knew her well have probably also encountered him before.

If I were looking for him, I would start by looking at the people she's encountered while in some form of authority. Did she volunteer recently during the holidays? Does her job place her in contact with volunteers or low-waged employees?

Television news says she trained volunteers. I'll bet a former volunteer knows exactly who killed her.

There are no more reasons to be scared now than there were the day before.

I agree with your very last paragraph, six shooter.

But, I'm not sure about many of the rest.

The news last night said Shannon was heard saying something right before or after the attack, but the police will not reveal what she said. Maybe she was identifying her attacker?

I heard that too Jade. WTF? Why wont they disclose what she said?

Has anyone heard anything else lately? I keep looking for new info online, but haven't seen anything since the 3rd or 4th of January.

On a related note, when I called Home Alive to sign up for the self defense course (206-323-HOME), they said that for the first time ever, they are having to open up more sections. I've heard great things about this group's classes and am looking forward to it. At least it will give me another set of skills to go with what I already do and use for self protection.

It really sucks that a woman has to think about this stuff so often, but since we do and since they asked me to put the word out about their classes, I thought I'd mention them here.

My deepest condolences and prayers to Shannon Harps' family and friends.