Ruth Dalton, a beloved dog walker, was killed in a violent carjacking on Tuesday morning in Seattle’s Madison Valley neighborhood, Washington.
Dalton, 80, had just finished walking several dogs when she was attacked by 48-year-old Jahmed Kamal Haynes, a man with eight prior felony convictions and a documented history of mental health issues.
The incident occurred around 10 a.m. when Haynes entered Dalton’s car as she was preparing to leave. Witnesses reported hearing a struggle as Dalton was forcibly removed from her vehicle. As Haynes sped away, Dalton was dragged by the car and ultimately struck before he fled the scene.
One bystander retrieved a baseball bat and tried to smash the windows of Dalton’s car to stop the carjacker. However, Haynes produced a knife and threatened those nearby before getting away.
According to witnesses, neighbors rushed to her aid, but Dalton died from her injuries at the scene. “I heard two very loud screams,” said John Ayala, a neighbor who was among the first to respond. “When I got to her, she was still breathing. I did what I could to try and help, but things were too far gone.”
In a particularly terrible twist, Dalton’s dog, Prince, was found dead in a nearby park later that day. Animal control officers confirmed that the dog had been stabbed multiple times and dumped in a recycling bin. According to her neighbor, Laura Dynan, Dalton’s focus during the carjacking was safeguarding the dogs in her care, including her and others’. The car theft was secondary to her efforts to shield the animals, making the loss even more heartbreaking as she was determined to protect them right until the end.
Police linked Haynes to the crime after discovering his fingerprints on Dalton’s phone, which was left inside the abandoned vehicle. SWAT officers arrested him at his Seattle home on Wednesday morning. Authorities found a bloody knife and the keys to Dalton’s stolen vehicle in his possession. Haynes is now facing charges of first-degree murder and first-degree animal cruelty.
During a press conference, Deputy Chief Eric Barden expressed that Ruth Dalton’s death was a senseless and violent act that she did not deserve. He assured everyone that the police were fully committed to ensuring justice for Dalton, her family, and the Madison Valley neighborhood.
Barden also acknowledged that the entire case, from beginning to end, was deeply troubling and horrific. However, he commended the bystanders who attempted to assist Dalton during the incident and the community members who cooperated with the police in quickly locating and arresting the suspect. This case, he emphasized, showcased a strong collaboration between the community and the police department, ultimately leading to the successful apprehension of the suspect and removing him from the streets.
Dalton’s death has sent shockwaves through the community. Friends and neighbors remember her as a compassionate and dedicated woman who had been walking dogs in the area for years. A memorial has been set up in her honor, with flowers and tributes pouring in from those who knew her. She was a well-loved presence in the Madison Park neighborhood for many years, as noted by her friend Susan Lindsay, who added that people cared for Dalton deeply and would miss her greatly.
Plans are underway to hold a neighborhood dog walk in Dalton’s memory, honoring her legacy as a devoted caretaker of her canine companions.
