Seattle man with 8 felony convictions charged in murder of woman, animal cruelty for killing her dogs

The Seattle Police Department announced Wednesday the arrest of a 48-year-old man with a history of mental illness in connection with the killing of an 80-year-old woman during a carjacking. The incident took place in Seattle’s Madison Valley neighborhood, where Ruth Dalton, a dog walker, was attacked while on her way to the park with several dogs in her blue Subaru Forester.

According to police, the carjacking occurred around 10 a.m. on Tuesday near Martin Luther King Jr. Way East and East Harrison Street. SPD Deputy Chief Eric Barden explained during a press conference that Seattle resident Jahmed Haynes entered the passenger side of Dalton’s vehicle and attempted to force her out of the driver’s seat. A struggle ensued between Haynes and Dalton inside the car.

Despite the efforts of concerned citizens who stopped to help, Haynes fled the scene, striking Dalton with the vehicle, dragging her body, and colliding with two other nearby cars. Barden noted that one witness confronted Haynes with a large stick or bat after seeing him brandish a knife. However, Haynes reversed the car rapidly, causing the fatal collision with Dalton.

Dalton was pronounced dead at the scene, despite life-saving attempts by bystanders and first responders.

Later that day, around 3 p.m., citizens reported seeing a man harming a dog at Brighton Playfield. A Seattle Animal Control officer responded and discovered a dog, later identified as Dalton’s, named Prince, stabbed to death in a garbage can. Another dog that had been in Dalton’s car was found about a mile away. SPD officers located Dalton’s vehicle in the park as well.

Investigators found a fingerprint on Dalton’s phone, which had been left inside her car, leading them to identify Haynes as the suspect. Police set up surveillance in areas Haynes was known to frequent, and Seattle SWAT team members apprehended him near his home at 15th Avenue and East Pine Street on Wednesday morning. At the time of his arrest, Haynes was in possession of a bloody knife and the keys to Dalton’s vehicle.

Haynes has a criminal record that includes eight felony convictions dating back to 1993, involving charges such as vehicular homicide, assault, robbery, and escape, as well as a documented history of mental health issues.

Seattle Police detectives are expected to request charges of 1st Degree Murder and 1st Degree Animal Cruelty against Haynes.

By Kate Stephenson
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