Woman fatally shot during attempted robbery was on way home from work
SEATTLE -- A south Seattle woman who was shot and killed during an attempted robbery on Thursday night was on her way home from work when she was confronted, Seattle Police said.
Police identified the woman as 45-year-old My-Linh Nguyen. She lived just a few houses away from where the shooting happened.
The shooting happened at 39th Avenue South and South Warsaw Street just after 8 p.m. Thursday. Police said Nguyen took the light rail from her job downtown, then got on a Metro bus. She was walking home from the bus stop when she was confronted. Witnesses told police the woman resisted which led to a struggle with the robber and then she was shot multiple times.
"I can't believe someone could shoot somebody because what the person (has) in their purse," said neighbor Ali Osman, who heard the gun shots. "That's ridiculous."
"These are cowards," said Seattle Police Asst. Chief Robert Merner.
During the last 4 1/2 months, Seattle police's south precinct has investigated 62 robberies. So far, police have arrested 47 people, including 24 juveniles. Many of those crimes targeted elderly, Asian women, police said.
"If somebody is presenting a threat to you, you don't want to resist- property can be replaced; obviously lives can not," said Lt. Matthew Allen.
Detectives are now reviewing surveillance video from the area where Thursday night's murder happened and are looking at evidence recovered at the scene. At this point, police only have a vague description of the shooter and no arrests have been made.
"It's crazy because it's right here in our street and it's really scary," said Mark Zarsadias. "I'm really scared for my mom."
As one family fears what's to come, another now coping with the sad reality of this violent crime. Nguyen leaves behind a 15-year-old son and husband.
Seattle Police set up a tip line for any information about the shooting at 206-233-5000.
