Some Mountlake Terrace commuters arm themselves after woman's death



MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash. -- Women who travel through the popular Mountlake Terrace Park and Ride say they cannot travel with confidence after the suspicious death of Cheryl DeBoer.

Some bus riders say they started packing weapons or will consider it because the death is so unnerving.

Charlene Devereaux started carrying a knife last week.

Devereaux said, "I don’t want any surprises. Like I’m sitting here and this dark place over here and I wouldn’t want somebody walking up on me from over there."

Destiny Levesque said she and her mother discussed the idea of self-protection when she rides the bus.

"We actually brought up the fact of her buying me some pepper spray to put on my key chain," Levesque said.

Mountlake Terrace Police are advising everyone to be extra vigilant. Police say you should look around and keep your head up while walking. Listen to your surroundings instead of using headphones. Sense that if something doesn't seem right then it probably isn't.

Police are  investigating DeBoer's death as a homicide. But they haven't ruled out other possible causes of her death.