South Park area anxious after deadly break-in

Debbie Carlin has spent so much time comforting neighbors and keeping them informed that she only recently realized how overwhelmed she was after Sunday's attack on two neighbors in their South Park home.

"I've lived here 30 years and I don't feel safe," said Carlin, a block-watch leader in the South Park neighborhood. "I'm having a meltdown."

Lingering concern over safety after the killing of Teresa Butz, 39, and the attack on her partner have moved some South Park residents to consider buying dogs or guns while the attacker remains at large. Others are afraid to return home

A man broke into the women's home in the 700 block of South Rose Street early Sunday, stabbing Butz and her 36-year-old partner before fleeing. Butz died at the scene, and her partner was hospitalized before being released Monday.

At a community meeting Monday, police said the attack appeared to be random and rare for Seattle — which Mayor Greg Nickels said makes it more shocking in a neighborhood where police and residents have worked closely to address crime.

Extra police are now patrolling the area, and neighbors have been instructed to keep windows and doors locked — although some have no air conditioning and temperatures may rise to 90 degrees or higher this week.

"We're all walking on eggs here until they catch this person," said Tim Smith, who lives about a block east from where the attack happened.

Nicolas Ramirez, whose 14-year-old daughter came to the victims' aid with towels for their bleeding knife wounds, said he's been having problems sleeping. His daughter is being seen by counselors.

"I'm still worried about her because she doesn't want to come home," he said, adding she is now staying with a relative in Burien.

The Seattle Police Department faced harsh criticism at Monday's meeting from residents angry over the police response. Some said it took officers nearly a half-hour to respond. However, the department says the first call came in at 3:09 a.m. Sunday and that the first car arrived at 3:13 a.m.

The Seattle Fire Department says the first call came in at 3:08 a.m. and the first fire engine arrived at 3:13 a.m. and a second engine arrived at 3:15 a.m. The first medic unit arrived at 3:18 a.m.

Police told the crowd at Monday's meeting that the nature of the crime doesn't necessarily mean South Park is likely to see a repeat offense, but that did little to allay neighbors' fears.

"People are scared, especially because it was random, especially because the man hasn't been caught — he's still running around out there," Carlin said.

On Tuesday afternoon, Christine Cherif revisited a growing memorial for the victims in front of the house where the victims lived.

"They were sweet, kind, good, wholesome people," she said while replacing dried flowers she left in front of the house earlier. A toy cat Cherif tied to the fence was there in remembrance of the way she met the couple — by helping them find their lost cat, Josie.

"It's too close to home," she said, adding that the extra police presence is both welcome and necessary now. "It puts a lot of people at a little bit more ease to know they have the ability to speak directly to the police.

"But you know, everybody's just scared witless."

Phillip Lucas: 206-515-5632 or plucas@seattletimes.com

Seattle Times staff reporter Steve Miletich contributed to this report