To Mary Sue Marcum

From Montgomery County MD police and news reports:
Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide/Sex Section are investigating the death of an adult female whose body was found on October 25, 2010 inside her residence in the 6200 block of Massachusetts Avenue. At approximately 10:52 a.m., police responded to the report of an unresponsive female found inside her residence. A friend found her on the lower level of the home and contacted police. The preliminary investigation revealed signs of forced entry to the home and signs of a struggle.
The victim has been identified as Sue Ann Marcum, 52.

The man caught driving the stolen car of an American University professor just days after her murder appeared in court Wednesday. Deandrew Hamlin, 18, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle. Hamlin is not charged with murder, but police say he was caught behind the wheel of murder victim Sue Marcum's car.

Ms. Marcum was beaten in a struggle at her Bethesda home. There were signs of forced entry and her gold Jeep was taken. A DC police officer spotted the Jeep on Benning Road NE late Monday. The officer wrote: "I activated my lights and siren in an attempt to traffic stop the Jeep. However, it accelerated and began to flee. I conducted a vehicle pursuit which lasted about ten minutes...the driver lost control, struck a pole, and rolled over the SUV. I saw the driver...flee on foot. I followed him about one block in a foot chase never losing sight as he ran until his apprehension at 4th and New York Ave NW."

Ghostbike for David Williams

Ghostbike placed in the 1400 Block of Southern Avenue SE, Washington DC.
From DC police reports:
On Friday, June 4, 2010, at approximately 10:43 pm, David Haywood Williams, 42, was on his bicycle traveling southwest in the 1400 Block of Southern Avenue SE when he was struck by a 2004 Chevy Suburban. The driver initially left the scene unaware that anyone had been struck, but did respond back to the scene of the collision. After being struck by the Chevy Suburban, Mr. Williams was struck by a second vehicle.
An eyewitness to the crash alerted an ambulance and described the vehicle as dark blue compact, possibly a Toyota or Nissan. Once DC Fire and EMS personnel arrived on the scene, the occupants of the second vehicle fled the scene without making their identities known.
Mr. Williams, of the 3400 block of 22nd Street, SE was transported to Prince George’s County Hospital and pronounced dead at 11:38 pm. The driver of the Chevy Suburban did not sustain any injuries and was transported to the Major Crash Unit pending investigation, which is still ongoing.

The ghostbike was placed by the WABA- Washington Area Bicyclists Association - and a vigil was held in his memory by friends and family.

Shrine in memory of Darrel Hendy- Southern Ave SE

From DC police reports:
On Saturday, September 25, 2010, units from the Seventh District responded to the 800 block of Southern Avenue SE, Washington DC, to investigate the report of a shooting. Upon their arrival they located the victim, Darrel Hendy, suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

On Tuesday, October 12, 2010, at 11:45 am, Meeko Carraway, 18, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder while Armed for the shooting death of Mr. Hendy.

I spoke with a passerby, Kevin, who knew Mr. Hendy. Kevin has lived all his life in this neighborhood. He said " Life around here has taken a change, and not for the better. Used to be there was just litter on the streets, now there's bodies on the streets instead. You can do something about litter, clean it up, but you can't bring a murdered soul back."

Mitchell Bell - "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever"

Memorial in the 4600 Block of A Street SE, Washington DC.
From DC Police reports: On Tuesday, September 14, 2010, at approximately 8:45 pm, officers from the Sixth District responded to the 4600 block of A Street SE, Washington DC, for the report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they located two victims inside of a car. Both victims were suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS determined that one of the victims, Mitchell Bell, 30, of Fairfax, VA, showed no signs consistent with life. The other victim was transported and admitted into an area hospital in critical condition.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil... and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." 23rd Psalm

In memory of Angelo Jones

I found this shrine in the 5300 block of Dix Street NE, Washington, DC.
From DC police reports: On Saturday, October 2, 2010 at approximately 12:33 am, officers from the Sixth District heard the sounds of gunshots and responded to the 5300 block of Dix Street NE, to investigate. Upon arriving, they discovered Angelo Jones, 31, of NE, suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

This memorial is in the Clay Terrace area. There was another killing less than a block from here about two weeks earlier- I found no memorial on that site.
This is one of the deadliest areas in the city, and many here mourn their losses.

Shrine to Carlos Guardado, DC's "Burrito Man."

This touching shrine was erected by the family of Carlos Guardado, a well-known and loved burritto vendor in downtown Washington DC. Mr. Guardado, an immigrant from Central America, died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 48 in the first week of October 2010. He operated his cart for over 20 years in the same location, and had a loyal clientele. The shrine is at the site of where he sold his wares. His caring family is saddened by the loss of this hardworking and caring man.

Contributions in his memory and to help his children can be sent to the Carlos Guardado Children's Education Fund, which is being administered by Father Evelio Menjivar at the Cathedral of St. Matthew, 1725 Rhode Island Ave. NW Washington, DC, 20036

David Weston - 4400 block Georgia Ave DC

This police crime tape was in the 4400 block of Georgia Ave NW, Washington DC.
From DC Police reports:
On Saturday, September 25, 2010, at approximately 1:55 am, Fourth District officers were dispatched to the area of Georgia Avenue and Allison Street NW, to investigate the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located David Weston, 19, of SE DC lying on the ground suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
DC Fire and EMS transported him to an area hospital where he subsequently was pronounced dead.