On the evening of September 23, 2016, a routine shopping trip turned into a scene of tragedy for 64-year-old White/Caucasian female Belinda Wilson Galde. She and her 95-year-old mother, Beatrice Dotson, were inside the Macy's department store at the Cascade Mall in Burlington, Washington, a frequent custom for the mother and daughter. That night, their lives were cut short in a sudden act of violence that claimed a total of five victims. The cause of death for Belinda was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds, and the manner of her death was ruled a homicide.
Belinda was a dedicated and respected probation officer for the Snohomish County District Court, where she had been employed since 1989. For nearly three decades, she was known as a kind and caring individual who was fair and ethical in her work, positively impacting the lives of thousands of probationers she supervised. Her colleagues remembered her as a gem who was both tough and tender. Beyond her professional life, she was a beloved wife of over 43 years, a cherished mother to two daughters, and a loving grandmother.
The day after the devastating shooting, an intense manhunt led to the arrest of 20-year-old Arcan Cetin in Oak Harbor, Washington. Authorities identified Cetin as the sole suspect in the mass shooting. He was subsequently charged with five counts of premeditated murder for the deaths of Belinda, her mother, and the three other victims. The investigation into his background revealed a history of mental health challenges and previous encounters with law enforcement. The senseless attack left a community in mourning and a family grieving the profound loss of a woman remembered for her commitment to her family and her public service.
