Shrine for Thomas Nathaniel Short III

This elaborate shrine is for Thomas Nathaniel Short III, in the 1300 block Stevens Road SE, Washington DC.

The shrine is in the Barry Farm area, next to his grandmother's house, not at the site of the murder. I spoke to his mother and great aunt. While we were speaking, a man from the neighborhood drank from, and then left, a vodka bottle at the base of the shrine. According to the family, many people attended the memorial service and left offerings in Mr. Short's memory at the shrine they had all built together.

Mr. Short had been a football player at Anacostia High School. He was an organ donor, and parts of his body were transplanted into four people, which his mother said gave her some comfort in the midst of her powerful grief. An award was also created in his memory by a local community group.

From DC police reports:
On Friday, July 24, 2009, at approximately 10:37 pm, members of the 7th District responded to the report of a shooting in the 1100 block of Howard Road SE. Upon arrival, officers located a victim suffering from an apparent gun shot wound.

DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene & transported the victim to a local hospital. The victim was pronounced dead at 12 pm on Sunday, July 26, 2009. The victim was identified as 18-year-old Thomas Short of the unit block of Elmira Street SW.