The Filipino American society in Everett, Washington, 25 miles north of Seattle, was shaken by reports of a home invasion last Friday that resulted in the sho0ting déaths of a Filipino wife and mother. Irah Marcelo Sok, 36, is a photographer from the Philippines who had recently started a studio in Everett. Local Fil-Ams are baffled by the tragedy.

“I was just talking to my colleagues and staff. Some of them knew her personally and everybody feels that it was a big loss because she is a very nice person with a bright future ahead of her, with a good husband and son, so everybody feels like there’s no sense in what happened,” Dr. Susan Tiu Javier stated. 

Another Everett neighbor, Ann Ayson, likewise regretted Irah’s passing, characterizing her as a well-known young business owner.

“We should all be proud of her success,” Ayson remarked.

As said by Snohomish County Police, officials were summoned to the Sok family’s house at 3 a.m. on August 19 following a gunshot. Three armed guys allegedly broke into the house and murdered Irah. Her spouse was injured but survived the assault. Their tiny son was not hurt. There had been no arrests. Irah diéd from a single gunsh0t w0und, according to the Snohomish County coroner’s office, and her déath was deemed a murdér.

Because the culprits are still on the loose, Fil-Am residents in the area are frightened for their own safety.

“We live near the area. Now we are careful and guarded,” Javier explained.

Ayson appeals to the Asian American community to assist the Sok family. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist the family at this trying time. The police are also encouraging neighbors to come forward if they have CCTV video that might be relevant in the investigation.