Accused Stabber Spent Four Nights at Santa Cruz Homeless Shelter; March Planned Monday

The Santa Cruz Sentinel reported that Charles Anthony Edwards III, of San Francisco, stayed at the Santa Cruz Homeless Shelter for four nights before he allegedly murdered storeowner Shannon Collins midday on Broadway Monday.

Read reporter J.M. Brown's story here. Monica Martinez, who runs the center, told the paper that Edwards said he was religious and wanted to find a Christian community.

Thursday, the Regional 9-1-1 center issued a press release denying the claims in another Sentinel story of a man who said he made calls warning about Edwards.

Interim General Manager, Dennis Kidd, wrote that no phone calls to the center were found after an extensive search.

"In researching phone numbers associated with Don Adams, who has stated he called the police about the suspect, we were unable to locate any such call from known phone numbers (or addresses) for Mr. Adams."

Take Back Santa Cruz is planning a march in honor of Shannon Collins, who owned the store Camouflage on Pacific Avenue.

They are calling it "I Am Shannon" –Walk her spirit back to Camouflage.

According to the Take Back Santa Cruz website:

"Meet at the Corner of Campbell and Broadway.  The walk to Camouflage on Pacific Avenue will begin at 7:00 p.m. (Monday May 14).

"On Monday May 7th in broad daylight Shannon Collins was randomly attacked and murdered while walking down the street.  We are going to finish her walk together and bring her bright spirit home, back to her beloved local shop on Pacific.  We will stand together as ONE COMMUNITY. 

We will NOT let this one person define Shannon’s life.  We write the story, not him.  Our story is of a strong passionate woman that was loved by so many.  Our story is of a community that vows to stand up against this senseless tragedy.    

We will lift up her family with our positive energy.  Together, we will bring her home.  Our hearts are broken but we will heal together as one."

of Broadway in honor of Shannon Collins.

There is a memorial site for Shannon here.