Thursday, March 12, 2020

Shrine for Malachi Lukes, 13 years old | 1700 block of 7th Street NW


From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, March 1, 2020, in the 600 block of S Street NW, Washington DC. At approximately 2:08 pm, members of the Third District responded to the listed location for the report of sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located a juvenile male suffering from a gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim, identified as Malachi Lukes, 13, of Northwest DC, was pronounced dead. Additionally, officers located a second juvenile male victim in the 600 block of Rhode Island Avenue, Northwest, suffering from a gunshot wound. The second victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

I was alerted to the site of this shrine honoring the memory of young Mr. Lukes on 17th Street NW by Mr. Kevin Nara, whose sister was one of the unfortunate victim's classmates.
Thank you to Mr. Nara for this kindness.

May there be peace and justice for all touched by this most unfortunate tragedy.






Shrine in the 1600 block of 18th Street SE DC | Bryan Tate, Jr


From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Thursday, February 20, 2020, in the 1600 block of 18th Street SE, Washington DC. At approximately 1:16 pm, members of the Sixth District responded to the listed location for the report of a check on the welfare. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male, inside of a residence, suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services found no signs consistent with life and the decedent remained on scene until being transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Investigation at the scene revealed that the shooting took place inside of the residence.  The decedent has been identified as Bryan Tate, Jr., 37, of Southeast DC.

There have been other deaths in this block over the years.
A shrine in 2013 was erected on this same large tree.

I pray for the peace and safety of all in the community. RIP.


Shrine for Cordaro Pierre Chambers | 2100 block of I Street NE DC



From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Monday, February 17, 2020, in the 2100 block of I Street NE, Washington DC. At approximately 5:27 pm, members of the Fifth District responded to the listed location for the report of an unconscious male. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male, inside of a residence, suffering from a gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services found no signs consistent with life. Investigation at the scene revealed that the shooting took place inside of the residence. The decedent has been identified as Cordaro Pierre Chambers, 31, of Northeast DC.

This shrine is in the Carver Terrace section of DC. I spoke to a neighbor of Mr. Chambers about the shrine, and discussed the sad effect that homicide has on an individual's and community's psychological state. We both hoped for peace in the area, for healing, and for positive memories of those lost to violence.

Police tape at the site of Miguel Romero's murder | 4900 block of Nash Street NE DC


From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, March 1, 2020, in the 4900 block of Nash Street NE, Washington DC. At approximately 2:02 pm, members of the Sixth District responded to the listed location for the report of sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male, inside of a residence, suffering from a gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services found no signs consistent with life and the decedent remained on scene until being transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Preliminary investigation at the scene indicates that this offense occurred inside of a residential building. The decedent is identified as Miguel Romero, 75.

Paz.

Site of a double homicide. Wilfredo Torres Jaime Zelaya | 6000 block of 13th Street NW DC


From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Saturday, February 22, 2020, inside of a residential building, in the 6000 block of 13th Street NW, Washington DC. At approximately 5:02 pm, members of the Fourth District responded to the 6000 block of 13th Street NW, Washington DC, for the report of sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located two juvenile males, and an adult female, inside of a residence, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and found that one of the juvenile males displayed no signs consistent with life.. The second juvenile male and adult female were transported to an area hospital for treatment. After all lifesaving efforts failed, the second juvenile male was pronounced dead. The adult female was treated for non-life threatening injuries. Investigation at the scene revealed that the offense occurred inside of the residential building.  The decedents have been identified as Wilfredo Torres, 17, and  Jaime Zelaya, 16, both of Northwest DC.

May they both rest in peace.