SANTA CRUZ > Police have released the identity of the local woman who passed away yesterday, Monday, May 7, due to a brutal stabbing attack. The victim was Shannon Collins, the well-known and beloved co-owner of Camouflage in Downtown Santa Cruz.
Collins, who was 38-years-old, was accosted and repeatedly stabbed on the 300 block of Broadway Street around 11:50 a.m. yesterday. She was pronounced dead on the scene. Police say the suspect, 43-year-old transient Charles Anthony Edwards, hails from San Francisco—where they say he has “an extensive violent criminal history”—and had been in Santa Cruz for about a week. He did not know Collins.
“After interviews with multiple witnesses, and Mr. Edwards, investigators established that the victim did not know Mr. Edwards,” said a Tuesday SCPD press release. “It appears as though this was a senseless, unprovoked and random attack by Mr. Edwards upon an innocent victim. There is no clear motive.”
Edwards was booked at 9 p.m. Monday and remains in police custody. His photo will be released after the police department has finished conducting photo lineups with witnesses, of which they say there were “a high number.”
The SCPD released Collins’ identity in a later press release, and said that they “are asking that the community come together to support the family in this tragic event.”
Santa Cruz Mayor Don Lane released the following statement soon after: “We all are mourning the tragic loss of Shannon Kathleen Collins, a beloved Santa Cruz community member and downtown business owner. Though no words can alleviate the pain, anger and shock Mrs. Collins’ family must feel at this time, I offer my deepest condolences to them. I hope thoughts and prayers from people throughout Santa Cruz will provide them some comfort during this extraordinarily difficult time.”
UPDATE 4:05 P.M.: The Santa Cruz County Superior Court has confirmed that Edwards’ arraignment is schedule for tomorrow, Wednesday, May 9, at 8:15 a.m. at department three of the county courthouse.
Pictured: The storefront of Camouflage as of 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8.
