It was a packed house Thursday at the Andrew Peabody School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as residents looked for information following the killing of Paul Wilson last Wednesday in Danehy Park.
"It's unnerving. We're very distressed," said one resident. "We don't know what's going on."
Residents are concerned with what appears to be the randomness of the attack.
Investigators say there's no evidence the 60-year-old, who lived in a condo near the park, was targeted.
Now, they're looking for tips, no matter how small or unsubstantial they may seem.
One woman said she made the trip through the park three times the night of the killing, which was unusual for her, and that she noticed something different and shared that information with detectives.
Residents are also wondering what they can do to stay safe.
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"It just makes sense, given what happened, especially after dark, if you're using the park, take your headphones off, be paying attention to your surroundings," said Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan.
Police say Wilson was beaten over the head. He was attacked on a well-lit path at the entrance of the park on the New Street side around dinner time.
"The gentleman was 6'6, at 6 o-clock in the evening," said Cambridge resident Sabina Duborg. "How does that happen? So it's a mystery to all of us."
"We understand why, even though it was one victim who was actually assaulted, the whole neighborhood was victimized," said Cambridge Police Commissioner Branville Bard. "They have every right to feel upset, frightened and bewildered."
Wilson's friend, Tom Meek, who worked with him at IBM, says Wilson would often cut through the park to get home from work.
Investigators have said robbery wasn't a motive, and many are left with questions.
"It's 6:30 at night, there's a lot of people around that parking lot," said Meek. "I'm kind of shocked it happened."
Anyone with information is asked to call call Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office at 781-897-6600 or Cambridge Police at 617-349-3300.
Anonymous tips can also be sent to the Cambridge Police tip hotline at 617-349-3359.
