UPDATE — Seattle Police Department is saying that the man featured in this sketch is a ‘person of interest’ — a potential witness NOT a suspect, Slog says. This is and odd twist — note this passage from a Seattle PI article on the murder: Witnesses described the man as white, about 6 feet tall, with a beard, wearing a stocking cap, sweatshirt under a blue hooded jacket, and baggy pants. He was seen running east on Howell and south on 16th Avenue. Interesting. Suspect in the article sounds a lot like this ‘person of interest.’
Police have released this sketch of the suspect a witness in the Shannon Harps murder. If you can help identify the man, contact the SPD tip line at (206) 233-5000.
Interesting that there was some buzz that he was older — maybe over 50 — but this sketch is definitely a younger man.
We don’t expect to continue to post about each twist and turn in the story — we’re not a news site, for one. But with all the people that continue to come to the site looking for information, it seems irresponsible not to post this sketch while we have the attention.
I’ve been contemplating going to the store for an hour but I’ve worked myself into a bit of a panic. This makes me feel a bit better about going out now.
With that sketch, pretty much every male Sierra Club volunteer could be a suspect…
Yeah. The sketch artist might have a crush. Seems more, um, artfully rendered than some, no?
Creepy helicopters over the neighborhood tonight, you will not tempt me to post. Go away.
I’m with you Wesa. I’m freaked out to go to the store as well. And I’m so angry. Women in this neighborhood should not have to be afraid to walk to the grocery store or into their apartment buildings!
I’ve only lived on 15th for a few months, but I have noticed many strange transients around here. Has anyone noticed the parade of shopping carts hanging out around Pine and 15th? What’s that about??? They need to find this guy soon.
Note from the SLOG about the person in the sketch:
He is not a “suspect” in the murder the SPD tells me, but potentially a witness to the crime.
(Me—and the Seattle Times—initially reported that SPD suspected this man of murdering Shannon Harps. The SPD called to say that is not correct.)
Link to SLOG post
Thanks Andrew. I hate that we added to the confusion :(
Diana: yep, we had a “new neighbor” for about a week. an older lady took great care to arrange and secure her clutch of carts each day. A patrol car cleared her out of the bus shelter a couple of days ago and I haven’t seen her (or her stuff) since. She must have moved to another block.
Here’s an interesting link:
http://ml.waspc.org/
It allows you to type in your zip code and see where the registered criminals/sex offenders live. It’s pretty scary the number of them in our neighborhood.
I realize this may not be relevant to Shannon Harps case, but I thought it was interesting and perhaps important that people around here know who is in our neighborhood.
Diana, we live in a big city with lots of people so we have lots of all types. As a percentage of the total population in the area, those sex offenders are a blip. You should be more freaked out by the small towns with 4 offenders than a Capitol Hill zip code with 4 offenders. Fear Othello WA not Capitol Hill for these kinds of boogeymen.
Jeanine: I saw her in the parking lot of 16th and Howell a few days ago…outside the church-soon-to-be-condos.
As for the sex offenders, there are over 200 in 98122 and 98112 respectfully…they tend to congregate near the treatment centers on First Hill.
Only see 4 in 98112. what are we missing?
The Seattle Police Department Sex Offender site often gives details of the offenses, which lets you judge their likely threat to you.
Sgt. Shilling has been issuing these reports for years and seems to do a very consistent job of evaluating offenders.
K and/or J: There are definitely more than 4 in my area. I live on 15th in the 98122 zip code, not 98112. So maybe that’s why you saw different results.
As far as minimizing crimes by percentages; you have your numbers wrong, but still I doubt you would think that way if it were someone you loved that was murdered or raped.
There are all types of predators roaming our streets even if we don’t hear about them like we have with this tragedy. Being mugged or raped is life altering as well. I have a girlfriend who was mugged on 17th at knifepoint several years ago. We shouldn’t walk around fearful, but we should be aware of our surroundings and look out for our neighbors.
I’m really not here to debate. I care about my neighborhood, and I just wanted to share some intersting information I came across. Perhaps someone might look at that list and recognize one of those criminals as their neighbor. Maybe it will save them from being a victim. I don’t see what’s wrong with that.
“Women in this neighborhood should not have to be afraid to walk to the grocery store or into their apartment buildings!”
Women in any neighborhood. Gays in any neighborhood.
I was walking by the flower memorial this afternoon and a man started talking to me about what happened. He seemed to think that no one responded to her cries for help. I told him that according to various news sites, the neighbors came out as soon as they heard her, but were unable to catch the attacker. He then went on the defensive and asked me why then did no one run after the attacker?
Honestly, why is this man looking to blame the neighborhood? I live just across the street and didn’t hear anything. Those who were right there did hear and went to help. If anyone is to blame, it’s the attacker. /rant
At 12:50 on the 1st, my brother and were confronted by a guy wearing the outfit/clothes described. The problem is this guy was 6’3, 250 lbs., and I his face reflected in the light (it was clean, with shaving cuts). He was not white, but more Island Pacific or Native American. He was by himself, hiding behind a dumpster on Belmont street.
Note: There aren’t bus lines, bars or stores located on this street. People are generally quiet; no wild parties for him to have emerged. Also, he became confrontational and tried to follow us to my building. My brother didn’t think he appeared homeless; more an army type of guy (which stands out when all the guys on the hill are mini’s).He was very, very odd. Off the charts odd!
Side Note: The condo building I live in is secure; except last week someone broke into the basement, shot-up, had sex and smoked a joint at 10:30 at night. I’ve been on edge ever since that..now this horrible incident…
ssgg, sounds like you should talk to the fuzz.
reports like yours make me feel kind of sorry for all the freaks on the Hill right now who are undergoing increase scrutiny.