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Seattle Police are asking for the public’s assistance and have released a photo of the man found dead in an empty lot at Federal and Republican:
Homicide detectives are interested in speaking with anyone who may have seen or interacted with the victim in the early morning hours (after 1 AM ) of March 6th, 2011, around the Broadway area. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Seattle Police Homicide Unit at (206) 684-5550.
37-year-old Zachary Lewis was found beaten to death in the lot at the intersection of Federal and Republican early on Sunday morning, March 6th.
The question that’s remained on my mind is how could one of the residents not hear the beating that led to his death? Did he die at the scene or was he deposited there? Do we know? Sounds like he had a rough life, as is. To be (only) 37 and already at 1811, which is for the farthest gone… So sad.
A week and a half later, and that’s all the police have: “Anybody know anything?” They could have asked that question last Sunday.
I’m a little pissed off. We have a homicide in the neighborhood, and no still we have no information. Was there a sign of a struggle at the scene? Was the body deposited there? Was this a random mugging gone wrong? Is the evidence that the victim probably did or did not know his attacker?
I feel very bad for the victim. Young man, apparently had a rough life, and to have it ended this way. Very sad. And in his death, he isn’t even afforded the dignity of a sense of urgency about bringing his killer to justice.
And where’s the police’s sense of obligation to the neighborhood. Really! Is there cause for heightened awareness if you’re walking home late at night?
And what about the media’s spotlight? Is this a case of “it’s just some junky, so who cares?” Hell, in an era of “if it bleeds, it leads”, this story has hardly had an iota of coverage. (Many thanks to CHS for keeping the community as up-to-date as it has.)
I’ll admit I’m pretty cranky about this whole thing. It truly sucks that the best the police can do after this long is, “Uh, anybody see this guy that night?” Seriously, they could have done that a week ago.
I agree oneway, anything would help.
“Is this a case of “it’s just some junky, so who cares?” Hell, in an era of “if it bleeds, it leads”, this story has hardly had an iota of coverage. (Many thanks to CHS for keeping the community as up-to-date as it has.)”
I agree, on both counts!
Its starting to make sense now why people are so anti SPD they just DONT CARE! I just read on CHS this week of the women in Montlake who arrived home to her home being broken into and they arrived to late there is a Madrona blog all about home robbery and that the SPD isn’t getting envolved or leading any investigation. Its really disgusting. Thanks CHS for at least putting this story out there I am yet to hear anything in the media since the day news broke on this story. TRAGIC.
I can understand the neighbors frustration. But the reality is the police don’t care if the media doesn’t care. And, yes, it probably is a case of “just another junkie.” If this guy had been a wayward member of the Gates or McCaw family, they would still be looking for forensic evidence and knocking on every neighborhood door.
There are 25 comments on the Banners over Broadway blog. Isn’t that saying something, this makes #7 here. The police don’t care if we don’t care. At least they know we think the banners look like Carl’s JR. Who cares.
Your measure of how much people care is the number of comments on ths blog?
#8
It is a community forum, so yes I sure do think it is a reflection. It tangibly shows concern, that is fact. I never said people don’t care I simply am surprised that people who are reading the same blog would rather comment on banners than someones life.
#9
It isn’t always in the best interest of actually solving a murder case to blab all you know to the press and public. Which is more important, the public getting every single bit of info the police have, or solving the crime without giving away so much that you later taint the prosecution?
As for the belief that burglaries aren’t investigated, talk to the folks cutting the budget for burglary detectives. The detectives have to pursue an active investigation when they actually have some leads, not when they have none whatsoever just to placate internet commenters.
Concerned wrote: “Its starting to make sense now why people are so anti SPD they just DONT CARE! I just read on CHS this week of the women in Montlake who arrived home to her home being broken into and they arrived too late.” No, you didn’t read that. What you read was that an elderly lady saw a man outside. Then, when she realized that her house had been broken in to, she called 911. Police responded with (a) a freaking helicopter, (b) the K9 unit and (c) an extensive search of the area for a man they think left in a car. No car description. Not at all the situation you painted.