Shrine to Goldean Hawkins, 1900 Newton St NE

Shrine to Goldean Hawkins, 1900 Newton St NE, Washington DC.

Material adapted from the Washington Post 6/9/09

Goldean Hawkins, 26, mother of two children, was stabbed to death on the playground of the Burroughs Elementary School May 31st, 2009. Her terrified screams for help prompted neighbors to summon police.

The man accused of killing her died a violent death himself after being seen near the her funeral.
Allen L. Haggins, 38, was struck by police bullets and by a shot he fired himself in the 600 block of L St SE, while services were being held a few blocks away for Ms. Hawkins.

"Justice has been served," Hawkins’s mother said after the funeral.

Haggins had shared an apartment with Hawkins, and was charged in a warrant in her death. Officers were posted at Hawkins’s funeral at St. Matthews Baptist Church, on New Jersey Ave SE.
The slain woman’s mother said that authorities "had word" that Haggins would likely appear at or near the funeral. About 11 a.m., members of the Regional Joint Fugitive Task force were five blocks from the church, when they sighted Haggins.
When Haggins saw the officers, he ran to a parking lot at 6th and L streets. Police said he drew a handgun.
Two of the officers then fired their weapons, hitting Haggins. An additional gunshot wound was apparently self-inflicted. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Neighbors held a vigil for Ms. Hawkins on the school grounds where she was slain.
A church member remembered her as "a fun-loving girl" who seemed to be "upbeat all the time" while active at St. Matthews. She sang in the choir as a child.
Community residents said they considered the killing an act of domestic violence.

Aric Avon Johnson- old bears and a pink spotted panther

This older shrine to Aric Avon Johnson is in the busy intersection of Kenilworth & Eastern Avenes NE, Washington DC.

FROM DC POLICE: January 23, 2007
Homicide at Kenilworth and Eastern Avenues, NE
At approximately 10:45 pm, on Monday, January 22, 2007, Metropolitan Police were called to the intersection of Kenilworth and Eastern Avenues, NE, for the report of a shooting.  Upon arrival ,officers located 26-year-old Aric Avon Johnson, of the 2000 block of D Street, NE, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the body.  He was taken to the Prince George’s Hospital Center and pronounced dead.

The only thing left are his family's memories, and these fading, weathered toys.

Shrines to Officer Stephen T. Johns, at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum

Three shrines have been created to honor Stephen T. Johns, the security guard at the United States Holocaust Memorial in Washington DC, who was killed June 10, 2009. According to authorities, white supremacist and anti-semite James W. Von Brunn, 88, entered the Holocaust Museum and immediately shot Mr. Johns. Von Brunn then was himself shot and critically wounded by two other quick-acting guards. Von Brunn maintained a virulent racist website, and had a life-long history of involvement with hate groups. A notebook with anti-semitic writings that were also critical of President Obama was found in his car.

Johns, who is being referred to in the press as a "gentle giant" - he was 6' 6' - leaves an eleven-year old son. Von Brunn's crimes and motives have been universally denounced, including by both his own son & by the President.

Officer Johns is being hailed as a hero. The flags at the museum are being flown at half-mast in his honor.

The Holocaust Museum has established a special fund for the benefit of Officer Johns' family.Make checks payable to "USHMM Officer Johns Family Fund" and mail them to: USHMM, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington DC 20024. You may also contribute by calling toll free 877-91USHMM (877-918-7466). 

These images are my way of saying Kaddish, and of leaving stones. May his soul and his family know blessings and serenity.

Yitgadal v'yitgadash sh'mei rabah.

Shrine to Marcus Robinson - 3000 block of 14th St NW

Shrine to Marcus Robinson, 20, in the busy 3000 block of 14th St NW Washington DC

Mr. Robinson was shot Friday May 15th about 11 PM. He had lived in the 600 block of Morton St NW

Several people spoke to me regarding this shrine and of Mr Robinson- that he was a good person, a fine homey with a generally kind personality. One woman, resting near the shrine, said seing it "hurt her heart."

Michael Colbert's shrine- Scooby Doo

Shrine to Michael Colbert, in the 4200 block of 4th St SE Washington DC

A young woman I queried said this was a "memorial to someone, and very recent, about two weeks."

Michel Colbert, 32, was found fatally shot in this block about 7:00 AM on Saturday May 16, 2009.
This shrine is within sight of the crime tape left at the scene of the killing of Bradley Cleveland, who was shot on April 13 2009.

Unusual- all Scooby Doo & tape- nothing else.

Quiet and sad...

Shrine to Demetrius Matthews

Shrine to Demetrius Matthews, 20, in the 1900 block of 2nd St NE Washington DC

Mr. Robinson was found dead of gunshot wounds May 21st by police at 3:57 AM. He had lived in the 2000 block of Amherst Rd, Hyattsville MD

Police reported it as part of a robbery

RIP Danny

Grafitti memorial to "Danny", in the 5000 block of Call Place SE Washington DC
- I was looking for a shrine to another murder victim, Marcus Jones, who was killed in the same block on May 26 2009. I did not find a shrine for him, or any information on Danny. The block was going through major renovation and construction when I visited.