EVERETT — Two weeks after Irah Sok was killed in an apparent home invasion, residents in her neighborhood east of Everett say they are still shaken up.
As of Friday, no motive for the killing had been determined. Detectives had not made public any leads in the case, and no suspects had been arrested.
One neighbor, who asked not to be identified “because of what happened,” told The Daily Herald she was asleep around 3 a.m. Aug. 19, when Sok was killed in her home down the street in the 2600 block of 96th Street SE.
“You see it on TV, but you never think it’s going to be in your own neighborhood.”
The neighbor said she awoke to commotion of police cars and first responders.
Sok’s death inspired that neighbor and others to install security cameras outside their homes.
She said the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office has spent countless hours canvassing many blocks around her neighborhood the past two weeks.
“They’ve been doing an excellent job,” she said. “The detectives are very kind, very conscientious, very respectful and very thorough.”
Sok, 36, died of a single gunshot wound, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office announced last week. Her manner of death was homicide.
Shortly after the shooting, three intruders reportedly left the home, sheriff’s spokesperson Courtney O’Keefe said. There appeared to be no struggle before or after the gunfire. Deputies were searching for the suspects, who were said to have fled the home on foot. Two were described as wearing masks, another with face paint. All three wore black clothes, O’Keefe said.
The husband and the child in the home were reportedly uninjured. After the killing, the husband ran to the home of a neighbor, who called 911.
A neighbor reported the husband, Makara Sok, was deciding what he wants to do — whether to move or stay in the neighborhood. The husband could not be reached for comment this week.
On Friday afternoon, the sun shone as children rode on tricycles and played in yards surrounding the Soks’ home.
“The kids are fine,” the neighbor said. “We’re keeping them out of it.”
“Many know Irah as an incredibly talented photographer,” reads an obituary. “She specialized in maternity and newborn photography, capturing the love and joy of motherhood, new life, and family for her clients. In September 2019, Irah converted her garage into her home studio, allowing her to develop her craft even more. In January 2022, Irah accomplished her dream of opening up her studio. … Her photography has impacted so many throughout our community and we will forever cherish the memories she has given us.”
In an online fundraiser, loved ones asked for donations to support her family.
Detectives asked anyone with information about the shooting to call 911. Specifically, the sheriff’s office asked neighbors to check their cameras for any activity on the morning of Aug. 19.
The sheriff’s office declined to release any updates on the case Friday, except that it remained an active investigation. A public records request by the The Herald for recordings of any 911 calls from the morning of the homicide was denied by law enforcement.
Ellen Dennis: 425-339-3486; ellen.dennis@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterellen.
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