Seattle superheroes warn: Attacks could happen to anyone
SEATTLE - The Emerald City's self-proclaimed crime-fighting superheroes are warning the public after recent attacks on women in North Seattle.
The incidents happened just days apart and police still don't know if the crimes are connected.
But the series of assaults has many people concerned and aware. Some say they are so alarmed about what's going on they decided not to run in the area.
At Green Lake, many come to enjoy the outdoors and relax. But the recent attacks in the area have people on alert.
"That just seems weird because this is like a recreational facility. So why should you have to be scared?" says park visitor Miharu Yamauchi.
In four days, four women in North Seattle were attacked - and police say each one happened while it was dark outside. Detectives are now trying to figure out if any the attacks are connected.
Seattle's Phoenix Jones and his fellow superheroes are raising awareness about the attacks and giving safety tips to protect women who might be vulnerable.
"These are neighborhoods that we walk in ourselves every day - our friends, our family," says Seattle's lone female superhero, Purple Reign. "It could be anybody that we know that this could have happened to."
On Monday morning, police say a man attacked a woman jogging through Green Lake Park. He tackled her to the ground and tried to pull her into nearby bushes. The suspect is described as a light-skinned man in his 20s, standing about 5-feet-7-inches and weighing 160 pounds, with short brown hair. He wore a dark hooded jacket or sweatshirt and dark jeans.
"I want him to get caught," says local volunteer Deann Casallo. "I want more support out here to catch this person. That's why I'm here - to put this out to let more people be aware."
The Green Lake attack happened a day after an attempted abduction in Greenwood. A victim told police two Hispanic-looking men - one wearing a ski mask - tried to pull her into a van. The white van had "XYF" or "ZXF" spray-painted in red on the side.
The same day another woman was attacked after leaving a Wallingford bar. She told police the man chased her, then knocked her to the ground.
Police later released a sketch after a white man with a pocket knife attacked a woman walking near the Northgate Mall. The victim said her attacker pulled her into the bushes and sexually assaulted her.
"You always leave the house, and you're thinking you're going to be OK. But to have to question that - especially in an area you're from and comfortable around - it's pretty scary," says Hillary Weatherill, who often visits Green Lake Park.
Police caution people to be alert and be aware. And if you're alone - carry a cell phone.
The incidents happened just days apart and police still don't know if the crimes are connected.
But the series of assaults has many people concerned and aware. Some say they are so alarmed about what's going on they decided not to run in the area.
At Green Lake, many come to enjoy the outdoors and relax. But the recent attacks in the area have people on alert.
 Police sketch of the suspect in the Northgate-area attack. |
"That just seems weird because this is like a recreational facility. So why should you have to be scared?" says park visitor Miharu Yamauchi.
In four days, four women in North Seattle were attacked - and police say each one happened while it was dark outside. Detectives are now trying to figure out if any the attacks are connected.
Seattle's Phoenix Jones and his fellow superheroes are raising awareness about the attacks and giving safety tips to protect women who might be vulnerable.
"These are neighborhoods that we walk in ourselves every day - our friends, our family," says Seattle's lone female superhero, Purple Reign. "It could be anybody that we know that this could have happened to."
On Monday morning, police say a man attacked a woman jogging through Green Lake Park. He tackled her to the ground and tried to pull her into nearby bushes. The suspect is described as a light-skinned man in his 20s, standing about 5-feet-7-inches and weighing 160 pounds, with short brown hair. He wore a dark hooded jacket or sweatshirt and dark jeans.
"I want him to get caught," says local volunteer Deann Casallo. "I want more support out here to catch this person. That's why I'm here - to put this out to let more people be aware."
The Green Lake attack happened a day after an attempted abduction in Greenwood. A victim told police two Hispanic-looking men - one wearing a ski mask - tried to pull her into a van. The white van had "XYF" or "ZXF" spray-painted in red on the side.
The same day another woman was attacked after leaving a Wallingford bar. She told police the man chased her, then knocked her to the ground.
Police later released a sketch after a white man with a pocket knife attacked a woman walking near the Northgate Mall. The victim said her attacker pulled her into the bushes and sexually assaulted her.
"You always leave the house, and you're thinking you're going to be OK. But to have to question that - especially in an area you're from and comfortable around - it's pretty scary," says Hillary Weatherill, who often visits Green Lake Park.
Police caution people to be alert and be aware. And if you're alone - carry a cell phone.
I didn't know Seattle had two superheroes. I only knew about PJ.
"Police caution people to be alert and be aware. And if you're alone - carry a cell phone."
But god forbid you actually carry a Glock and defend yourself...
@Reflect Not everybody has the will or the intellectual wherewithall to carry a gun. That is a reality of life.
My mom simply is not going to kill another human being. People like her should have a cell phone, as should carriers. If you're carrying a gun you should also carry a phone and a camera.
The camera is to record evidence while you call 911. The gun is to protect you if the bad guy tries to take your phone, because you can legally use deadly force on somebody who's attacking you trying block your attempt to call the police for help.
"Attacks could happen to anyone" NO KIDDING! Good one, Captain(s) Obvious.
That sketch looks like every twatermelon in Seattle with a shaved head. Seattle, where social profiling works.Â
Ha ha ha ha.....super heroes, is that a new sub at Subway?
Two friends of mine who work at a local hospital in PDX just posted about a shooting there a few minutes ago. Word is the gunman is dead.
Problem with super heros is they go into action after the fact And they are not real
Someone is hitting the meds a bit hard in Seattle. They empty the looney bins up there too?Â
What superhero will hales be
@Bert Union Man
Good for them in trying to get the word out. Proactive works better than reactive. Their getup is a bit odd, but to each their own. As long as they enjoy and are wanting to help others, more power to them!
we need more proactive vigilant people willing to wear costumes in the world
@Phuzz ~  As long as "vigilant" doesn't become "vigilante", it probably won't hurt anything, and might even help, if people are actually listening... it looks like a bid for attention more than anything...  Personally, I tend to steer clear of anybody dressed like that ~ just too many weirdos around these days ~ but each to their own taste, I guess...
I didn't realize Seattle needed "superheroes" to combat crime in their cities. Exactly what can they do that Neighborhood Crime Watch can't? Surely they don't intend to be vigilantes? Or do they?
Welcome to the city and welcome to the way things are these days. Â This is just another sign showing the decline of society. Â We asked for it by being too lenient on criminals and by treating human trash as being ill with whatever is the fad of the day, whether it be bi-polar, pstd, etc. Â Some people are just plain bad and need to be punished, not felt sorry for.