Street memorial to Deon Calvin Smith, 4600 block Livingston Rd SE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in the 4600 block of Livingston Road SE, Washington DC, on Tuesday, September 13, 2016. At approximately 9:31 pm, members of the Seventh District responded to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, members located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. The first victim was an adult male, unconscious and unresponsive, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to an area hospital, where all lifesaving efforts failed and he was pronounced dead. The second victim located at the scene was an adult female suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. The decedent has been identified as 19-year-old Deon Calvin Smith, of Oxon Hill, MD.

I spoke at this large and vibrant street memorial with his older brother. The shrine was built with a vigil on the site of Deon Smith's death, across the street from where it is now (the property management company did not want it on their lot). He had been shot eight times. There was a vigil held for him by his friends and family, and many libations were poured. There were initially many liquor bottles on the site in honor of Deon's life, but the DC police put a notice on the shrine, and removed the bottles after 30 days. Mr. Smith leaves behind a young son, and his girlfriend is pregnant with another. The children are being cared for by the family. He had grown up and lived in this neighborhood his entire life.

A wish for wisdom, justice, and peace for all concerned.

A video in Deon Smith's memory, which includes a view of this shrine, has been posted by the rap group Duffy Gang.