Student calls 911 but nobody came in time

[Kythas]

This is a terrible tragedy which highlights yet again why we carry. Ultimately, only we are responsible for protecting and defending our own lives.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/12/16/gra ... topstories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Brittany Zimmerman, a 21-year-old college student who wanted to be a doctor, called 911 as she was being attacked by a stranger, police say.

Brittany Zimmerman's screams and struggle for her life were captured by a 911 tape.

But the police did not come for 48 minutes. By that time, Zimmerman was dead. Her fiance found her body.

Although the dispatcher claimed later to have heard nothing, the 911 tape captured screams, gasps and what sounds like a struggle, according to the court documents.

Spring was in the air when college student Zimmerman returned April 2 from classes at the University of Wisconsin to the off-campus apartment she shared with her fiance, Jordan Gonnering.

He was out when she arrived home. He discovered her body when he returned.

Zimmerman had been stabbed multiple times in her chest, near her heart. She'd also been beaten and strangled, according to warrants released recently. Watch an update on the case »

Zimmerman managed to call 911 at 12:20 p.m. The call was taken by the Dane County 911 center and an internal investigation revealed the dispatcher did not hear any sounds that would signal an emergency.

Because of that, police were not sent to the apartment until 48 minutes after Zimmerman made the call. Her fiance was already there.

Dane County has taken some harsh criticism from the public regarding the delay, and tough questions have been raised about whether a prompt response might have saved Zimmerman's life.

Police are still looking for her killer.

"We are working diligently on this case, have generated significant leads, and are making progress," said Joel De Spain of the Madison Police Department.

The police said they believe Zimmerman was attacked by a stranger. Her apartment door showed signs of forced entry.

After interviews with Zimmerman's family, friends and acquaintances, investigators determined there was no personal motive for the attack.

"In fact, we have not been able to determine any motive yet in this case," De Spain said. He emphasized that police have no reason to believe Zimmerman was the victim of a serial killer.

During the investigation, police have tracked leads pointing to vagrants in Zimmerman's off-campus neighborhood. The vagrants often would knock on doors and beg for money.

"We are still investigating this avenue, but at this time we have not been able to develop any specific suspects," De Spain said.

Zimmerman's family and friends describe her as a loving, warm young woman, who had much to look forward to. She was engaged to the love of her life and had dreams of earning a medical degree, they said. She was idealistic, and her goal was to help people, not to earn a large salary, they said.

Other details in the released warrants reveal that Zimmerman was murdered in her bedroom, that her cell phone was found in "parts," and that her bloody slippers and bloody computer paper were recovered.

The murder weapon is described as a knife, two to five inches long. Police are not saying whether they have recovered it.

DNA was collected from Zimmerman's body, as well as hair, blood samples, footprints and fingerprints. So far, no match has been made to a suspect.

Zimmerman's family is offering a $14,000 reward, and Crime Stoppers is offering $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest and/or conviction of anyone responsible for Zimmerman's death. Please call the tip line at 608-266-6014.

[Oldgringo]

"When it's a matter of life and death and seconds count, the police are only minutes (in this case 48) away".

[jiannichan]

That is tragic. It is sad and angers me at the same time. Glad to have gotten my license.

Although the dispatcher claimed later to have heard nothing, the 911 tape captured screams, gasps and what sounds like a struggle, according to the court documents.
"Zimmerman managed to call 911 at 12:20 p.m. The call was taken by the Dane County 911 center and an internal investigation revealed the dispatcher did not hear any sounds that would signal an emergency. "

What is up with that?

[Purplehood]

That is tragic. It is sad and angers me at the same time. Glad to have gotten my license.

Although the dispatcher claimed later to have heard nothing, the 911 tape captured screams, gasps and what sounds like a struggle, according to the court documents.
"Zimmerman managed to call 911 at 12:20 p.m. The call was taken by the Dane County 911 center and an internal investigation revealed the dispatcher did not hear any sounds that would signal an emergency. "

What is up with that?

INTERNAL INVESTIGATION is whats up with that. It is akin to me auditing my own IRS return.

[kalipsocs]

I love to hear the "Guns are EVIL!! They cause more violence!! BAN THEM ALL!" from some police agencies, media, and others who aren't for concealed carry/firearms, and then they make it sound like they have a nice cheery debate on if shorter response time would have saved this woman or not. Not to say being armed will absolutely save you either, but if she had been there is a much better chance a man would still have his fiance, a family their daughter, and a friend to friends. Just makes me sad and worrisome for my own SO.

[LCP_Dogg]

Yeah it was plastered all over CNN this morning - I guess it is an old case they are still figuring out.

The real problem here is that one has to be concerned and willing to carry protection if you want to save your own life, whether it is a gun or not.

Very sad.. I'm using this article to talk my wife into getting her CHL now..

[kalipsocs]

Yeah it was plastered all over CNN this morning - I guess it is an old case they are still figuring out.

The real problem here is that one has to be concerned and willing to carry protection if you want to save your own life, whether it is a gun or not.

Very sad.. I'm using this article to talk my wife into getting her CHL now..

Good so I am not the only one who has problems convincing the better half!

[LCP_Dogg]

Good so I am not the only one who has problems convincing the better half!

Man, I tell you, like a year ago I would have been like "ok no big deal, you don't have a permit to carry".. but now after I've been carrying and have had my CHL for a while, I am thinking to my wife, why in the world would you NOT want to be able to carry (even if you didn't ALL the time)... It just doesn't make sense and I hope nothing bad happens one day and she regrets not listening to me.. Until then, I'm doing everything in my power to convince her otherwise and when my 4 year old turns 21, I will do the same.

[amber]

Another victim of Sarah Brady policies. How tragic for the family and friends of this young woman.

[Kythas]

It amazes me that the Brady Bunch goes after every type of gun except that which was used to shoot James Brady and President Reagan. John Hinkley used a Rohm R6-14, which is a .22 revolver. Yet, .22 caliber weapons are almost always excluded from gun control legislation, or exceptions are put in for .22 caliber versions of banned weapons.

[scootergeek]

Sad story indeed, I think us guys as husbands and fiancees and fathers need to preach and teach more of the topic to our significant others about situational awareness.

[cowboymd]

Yeah it was plastered all over CNN this morning - I guess it is an old case they are still figuring out.

The real problem here is that one has to be concerned and willing to carry protection if you want to save your own life, whether it is a gun or not.

Very sad.. I'm using this article to talk my wife into getting her CHL now..

And my daughter who is in college, living off campus with her husband in a not so topnotch neighborhood.

[The Annoyed Man]

My wife has finally signed up for a CHL class on January 24th. She's already got a gun, and gotten some range time in, although not enough, in my opinion. But there is one thing I've learned with my wife: pressuring her doesn't work!

[Oldgringo]

My wife has finally signed up for a CHL class on January 24th. She's already got a gun, and gotten some range time in, although not enough, in my opinion. But there is one thing I've learned with my wife: pressuring her doesn't work!

Mrs. Oldgringo has a CHL and a gun or two. The hard part is convincing her that she needs to shoot more and shoot often because she may, heaven forbid, some day have to use it to defend herself and/or me.

Any suggestions?

[Skiprr]

It's good to see this case still in the media, and to see that the police are still working it. I'd love this one to be solved.

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