Victim's granddaughter shows up at Lake City gathering

LAKE CITY, Wash. — The Lake City community came together to honor those impacted by the deadly rampage that left two people dead, two others injured. This, as the granddaughter of one of the victims shares her grief.

The Lake City event was a gathering to offer support for those affected by the shooting.

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But the impact has been greatest for a teenager whose family has lost its patriarch, 76-year-old Robert Hassan.

No one knew she was there until she introduced herself to the KIRO 7 News crew. She declined to talk on camera, but her presence was a reminder that the impact of this shooting is being felt far and wide.

It was clear, even at a distance, that this teenager is feeling the effects of Wednesday's deadly rampage more than most.

She said she is the granddaughter of Hassan, one of the two people killed; taken into the embrace of the only Seattle official left when she happened by, Council member Debora Juarez who represents Lake City.

"It breaks my heart to be here again today," Juarez said to the crowd, "to talk about senseless violence and to remind us sometimes we just need to be kind to each other."

Juarez was one of several speakers, including Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best, offering comfort to a neighborhood devastated by a random act of violence of which the alleged shooter says he has no memory.

But the scars remain for Seattle teacher Deborah Judd who told reporters Thursday, "You just don't understand why you're just driving home from work and somebody walks out into the street and just shoots you."

And Metro bus driver Eric Stark universally hailed a hero for his quick action to drive his bus and its 12 passengers out of harm's way after he, too, was shot.

"I'm putting pressure on my chest with my right hand," said Stark Friday, smiling in the retelling, "trying to drive with my left hand."

"I'm so very proud to stand here and talk about the heroism of Eric," said Rob Gannon, King County Metro general manager. "But I also realize how close I could be to standing up and talking about the loss of Eric's life."

"Every shooting touches me," said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. "And I think this one touched our city because it affected so many people at the same time."

After they were gone, Robert Hassan's granddaughter was given a poster signed by people he never knew, forever linked by tragedy.

The teen says her family has been too upset about the sudden death of her grandfather to participate in public events.

Cox Media Group