FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — A week after her husband was gunned down on a Federal Way sidewalk for no apparent reason, Marianne Gutierrez felt an urgent need to share a heartfelt message with anyone who would listen—and even those who can’t.
Since she’s a nationally-certified sign language interpreter, Gutierrez figured she’d convey her message of heartbreak and hope for justice – with her hands.
Within hours, Gutierrez released a touching video on YouTube, done in sign language and subtitles. The mayor of Federal Way and the city council voted to play the video publicly that night, right after the Pledge of Allegiance, at the beginning of Tuesday's council meeting.
"I think you'll find it as powerful as we all did,” said Mayor Jim Ferrell. “We wanted to share it with the community tonight, so please roll it."
Gutierrez explained who her husband was, and how he was training for a half-marathon he was shot to death--seemingly at random--as he jogged with his dog on a sidewalk at 11:10 p.m. on May 10.
While it played--and everyone watched, Adam's father Javier Gutierrez, was seeing it for the first time. He said later, he hoped his son’s killers would see it, too.
"I’d want them to know, you hurt our family big time, but you also hurt our community," he said. "I wish they'd see the hurt that they have caused. The destruction. Even a little piece of Federal Way, and the heart of Federal Way has been severed."
He also said his son’s story, from his service in the Navy for eight years to his preparation to graduate from the University of Washington, only to be targeted randomly, has gone viral.
"My son has touched a lot of hearts. we have gotten condolences from Australia, Tokyo and we have gotten more condolences from South Africa," he said.
He also hopes his daughter-in-law’s public call for justice is answered, but he says there is no justice for what was taken.
“If they'd do us they honor by giving information, if they'd do us that favor, yes,” he said. “If they don't, it doesn't matter to me if they catch the guy. If they never catch the guy, the damage is done."
Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang told the city council he re-configured his force to find the killers of Gutierrez and two other men in his city, who were all killed in a span of 48 hours.
“We are following up on every lead as they develop,” Hwang said. “We are relying on citizens to provide us with tips, to solve these cases."
Friends of the family set-up a GoFundMe page, to help with funeral, and other expenses.