SEATTLE — It's been nearly a month since a man was shot and killed in the Chinatown International District, which marked Seattle's second homicide of the year. The man's family is pleading for answers in hopes of finding the person responsible.
Joel Silva was only 32 and was shot and killed on Jan. 31. Seattle Police said he was shot multiple times around 8:30 that night on 12th Avenue and was found on the sidewalk near the Navigation Center. He was taken to the hospital where he later died. Police said they searched for a suspect but didn't find one.
"We're just left with more questions than answers. That person is nothing but a monster and a coward and unfortunately, they're still prowling around that area," said Leanne Bible, Joel's fiance.
Leanne and Joel were planning a wedding for this summer, but he already called her his wife. The two have been together since they were 16.
"He had a big heart. He's literally taken the shirt off his back, and given it to somebody when he sees that it's cold, or they don't have anything," Bible said.
It's unknown what led up to the shooting. Leanne said Joel's father lives nearby and was heading back to their home in Mountlake Terrance. Leanne said Joel had to walk by that area to get on the bus.
"It wasn't because he was there doing something wrong or anything illegal, which is silly to assume just because he was found there. That doesn't mean anything. He was on his way home, and he just didn't make it," Bible said.
"Anybody and everybody can literally end up like my husband," Bible said.
For Leanne, details are limited too, and she said there's been a lack of transparency from detectives.
"We haven't heard anything, just silence. The lack of communication is just troublesome because we don't know if there's movement. He's the second homicide of the year and it still deserves as much attention as anybody else, considering the monster hasn't been caught. Everybody's still in danger," Bible said.
As she searches for answers, their 13-year-old son is now without a father.
"It's really hard on him. That was his dad, that was his best friend, and then all of a sudden, that was taken away from him. Half of me is now poofed. The other half is my 13-year-old and that's what I have to concentrate on, and raise him to be the best man that he can be just like his father would have," Bible said.
Bible said Joel came from a large family who's now coping with his loss and said the world lost out too.
"He truly was a wonderful person. I wish more people could have got the chance to meet him and know him because they missed out on honestly a great person," Bible said.
As of now, there have been no arrests and no suspect description.