This week, an 80-year-old grandmother from Washington State tragically lost her life during a carjacking as she attempted to protect her two dogs. Authorities have apprehended a 48-year-old man, describing the event as a pointless act of violence.

The victim was identified as Ruth Dalton, a dog walker based in Seattle. According to police Deputy Chief Eric Barden, one of the dogs present in the car with Dalton at the time was her own and, unfortunately, it was later discovered fatally injured.

The suspect was captured later that evening by a SWAT team and was found with a bloody knife and the keys belonging to Dalton’s Subaru.

“This is an extremely sad and shocking incident,” Barden stated. “(Dalton) was actively engaged in her community and that vibrant life has been taken from her, her family, and the community due to this unprovoked violence.”

The suspect has been named as Jahmed K. Haynes, a resident of Seattle, according to police.

While a motive behind the attack hasn’t been determined, police revealed to YSL News that Haynes has a significant criminal record with eight prior convictions, which include a vehicular homicide case from 1993. Barden indicated that the suspect has faced mental health challenges in the past.

Ruth Dalton was run over by her own vehicle

Officers were dispatched to the Madison Valley area, about three miles east of downtown Seattle, just before 10 a.m. Tuesday to respond to the carjacking incident.

Upon arrival, Barden noted that bystanders were already assisting Dalton on the road.

Rescue teams attempted medical aid but unfortunately, Dalton succumbed to her injuries at the scene.

‘She had a fire in her’

Melanie Roberts, Dalton’s granddaughter, described her grandmother as a warm, caring, and generous person.

“But she had a fierce spirit! She fought passionately for those she loved,” she shared with YSL News on Thursday. “I firmly believe she struggled with that man to protect the dogs. The vehicle meant nothing to her; her main concern was the safety of her clients’ furry babies.”

Fingerprints on Dalton’s cell phone helped identify the suspect

Initial investigations revealed that Dalton was in the driver’s seat when Haynes entered her vehicle.

Police reported that Dalton put up a fight as Haynes attempted to push her out of the car. There were two dogs inside the vehicle: one was Dalton’s while the other was another pet.

Bystanders attempted to assist her, including a man who tried to approach, but retreated after Haynes showed a knife. This same individual later returned with a bat, but by then, Haynes had driven away, running over Dalton and colliding with several parked cars.

Dalton was dragged by the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries.

“He didn’t need to reverse,” witness Laura Dynan expressed to The Seattle Times. “This woman was fighting for the dogs, both her own and those of her clients. This wasn’t about the car; it was about the dogs.”

Not far from where the incident occurred, authorities discovered Dalton’s car and were able to collect fingerprints from her cell phone, according to Barden.

Dalton’s dog found fatally stabbed at park

Later that day, witnesses reported seeing someone harming a dog at Brighton Playfield in Columbia City, roughly five miles from the carjacking location, Barden mentioned.

Animal control officers who arrived on the scene found a dog that had been fatally stabbed, and the animal’s collar had a tag with Dalton’s name on it.

Details regarding what transpired afterward remain unclear to the second dog.

Individual Charged with Fatal Attack on Dog Walker and Dog, Facing Serious Charges

According to online jail records from King County, Haynes was taken into custody just before 8 p.m. on Wednesday. He is now facing serious allegations, including first-degree murder and first-degree animal cruelty.

As of Thursday, he was still in jail without the option for bail, a representative from the jail confirmed.

Details regarding his upcoming court appearance or whether he has a lawyer have not yet been disclosed.

If you have any information concerning this case, please reach out to the police at (206) 233-5000 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.