Elderly Woman Escapes Sexual Assault Attempt At Green Lake

A man attacked an 89-year-old woman and attempted to sexually assault her while she was jogging around Green Lake on Saturday morning, Seattle police said. It was the fifth such attack on a woman in a Seattle park since October and while police aren't saying this latest attack is connected, they aren't ruling it out, either.

The woman was jogging at about 5:30 a.m. when a man knocked her to the ground, police said. The woman screamed and kicked and the man eventually ran off. The woman flagged down a passerby to call 911.

"It's a shock to know that that happens around here," said Gladis Sotello, who frequents the Green Lake area. "That's kind of scary to know because this is supposed to be a good area."

But Kristin Bunnell, who also spends time near Green Lake, said she thought the attack was a reminder for people to keep their guard up.

"I mean, it's a city and you have to be careful wherever you are," Bunnell said.

SeattleCrime.com reported that the attack took place near the Green Lake Community Center.

Officers searched the area, but couldn't find the attacker, police said.

The woman suffered a bruised hip, but was not seriously injured and declined medical attention, police said.

"She's in good shape and she took care of herself quite well," said Jeff Kappel with the Seattle Police Department. "

A description of the attacker was not available.

Police said they don't know if the attack is related to other recent attacks on women in Seattle parks, but said "a connection is possible." Sexual assault detectives are investigating the Green Lake attack.

"It's that odd tidbit that somebody thinks is irrelevant or insignificant that breaks a case for us," Kappel said.

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