Very long story short, I was the subject--I won't say "victim", because I'm fine--of an attempted assault with a deadly weapon yesterday morning at about 0905 while on my way to work. The guy who attempted to assault me was your typical denizen of the 45th and University Way NE area--a walking combination of mental illness, drugs, and alcohol.

I guess I've never truly had my fight/flight response tested. As it turns out, the "flight" part is missing. The guy started at me with the metal object (not a gun--some kind of metal scooter thing) and I screamed "HELP" like a goddamn banshee, but didn't run. May G-d bless the five Good Samaritans who came to my aid--five random guys who literally ran to put themselves in harm's way for a stranger. One of the guys jumped out of his truck at the intersection to try and tackle the guy.

Anyway, how do you know, before something like this happens? I'm still seriously shaken up, but I can't think of anything I could have done differently other than run. This guy closed the distance on me in <3 seconds, so even if I had been carrying anything, I wouldn't have had time to process the situation and draw before he would've been beating the living H-ll out of me.

Cops have been shot while having lunch.

If the BG has the jump on you... you're toast.

Good to still have you here with us to share a scary story.

Kind of what I was thinking, and why I'm very lucky that those five guys came to my aid.

Glad for the people that jumped in, and glad you are OK. Why were you not carrying?

Wow Jen, glad you are Ok! What set the guy off? Just a random Crazy?

Simple solution: stay the hell out of Seattle

Or take the law into your own hands... I keep saying vigilantism is making a comeback!!

Yah, I work in the UW Tower (formerly Safeco Tower) now, and so have to walk about two blocks from my bus to work. Which means going through the heart of the demonstration of the drug/alcohol/homelessness/mental illness that is 45th and University Way NE. People literally shoot up in broad daylight, right where The Limited used to be, before the drugs.

So yes, a lot of random crazy, but never anything like this. And because only the Tower itself is UWPD jurisdiction, it's the SPD that is responsible for the area. In my ten-odd months working at the Tower, I've seen three bodies being removed from alleys and the sidewalk while on my way to work--overdoses. You literally get inured to it. And calling 911 is useless, or at least seems to be--I've been told that a guy shooting up on the sidewalk in broad daylight isn't a "priority".

And even though the SPD has repeatedly stated that they are going to increase foot patrols and bike patrols in the area, I've yet to see an actual SPD officer on patrol. It's ridiculous.

As others have said, glad you're able to tell us the story, and we didn't have to read about it or see it on the news. Also glad to hear people were willing to help.

Strongly consider training In a practical martial art. No tae kwon do or other instant black belt program. Think ju jitsu, wrestling, boxing, Silat, Kali and Muay Thai. It should take attending class 3-4 times a week for 3 years to attain sufficient muscle memory and training. And at least a year of that should be in the ring sparring. You can hit bags for years, and the first time you face somebody in the ring you will absolutely freak out. Got to get over that the hard way. Sure you will get hit in the face but that's part of earning it the hard way. And that's the only way for this particular skill.

Running away is a good skill, as is shooting. But when you can't do either of those for legal or practical reasons, you better know how to fight.

Because I can't technically carry on University property? Although that might change. Not the technically not being able to carry part, the me carrying part. Concealed is concealed is concealed, and I don't wear scrubs anymore, I wear casual dress office clothes--mostly dresses and skirt suits, so that would make it easier.

Plus the Tower is a secure facility, meaning that we have actual armed guards and about half, or more, of the 22 floors are secure floors, including mine. You need to badge yourself up to access a given floor.

I think I have just always had a false sense of security based on my height--you don't pick the 6' 185lb. woman as your target, generally. And like Rick said, even if I had been carrying, the guy went from zero to trying to kill me before I had time to do anything but scream, so anything I had would've been irrelevant. This guy was mayyyyybe 5'8" and so terribly thin, but he was hopped up six different ways to Sunday.

And yes, reason #482 not to live in Seattle--but some of us have to, or want to, work there.

Jennifer,

Sorry to hear you were singled out to become a target,
Glad to hear that you are "OK".
Glad to know that there were people willing to help you.
Likely this "event" will haunt you for a while.
If you end up with "Cold Sweats" in the middle of the night, over this, get treated for PTSD.
People here care for you like part of the family. If you need us, or we can help you, let us know.

cootduster

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Dang, Jennifer . . . it sounds like you and the bystanders all handled it well. How did it end?

I'm glad to hear that you're okay.

The Bartell's manager, one of the two guys who had rushed out of the store when I screamed, called 911 right away. SPD's response? If I was denying that I needed medical assistance, then I wasn't a "priority" call.

The one guy--the guy who jumped out of his semi at the intersection--gave a bit of a chase to the instigator, but the little bastard skittered away. Drugs and adrenaline are probably great fuel. He did get the guy's metal scooter thing, which I did turn over to SPD.

Speaking of, my first contact with an actual SPD officer was at around 1500, approximately six hours after the incident. And that was by phone. And apparently is considered a "quick" response if the victim does not request medical aid. Yes, by then I had texted with a couple of people, friends I've made in the course of taking care of the Memorial, so probably the SPD had the case brought to their attention rather sharply, thus the "quick" response.

YES Glad you came out OK.

Full up test? Anything you design won't be the real thing, anything your friends design, could get someone killed. Just the few times get "tested" in real life must be learned and stored. I've had just a few, and frankly I don't think it's all that great for the human body to have multiple adrenaline dumps and other rapid physiological changes. But sounds like you are doing the right thing. Honestly assessing what happened, what you did, etc. It's also good if possible to get someone else's (witness) input as to what you did in that situation