For Derrick Rawls- "May G-d bless your soul"

This vibrant shrine, created in memory of Derrick Rawls, is in a quiet alley in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington DC. It displays colorful testimonials from his friends and family.

From police reports: On Friday, February 4, 2011, at approximately 9:20 pm, units from the Fourth District responded to the 4500 block of 8th Street NW, Washington DC, to investigate reports of the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers canvassed the area and located the victim in the alley of the 4500 block of 8th Street, NW, suffering from gunshot wounds and found him to be unconscious and unresponsive. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and determined the victim had no signs consistent with life. The decedent has been identified as Derrick Rawls, 20, of Northwest DC. According to the Washington Post, he was found at about 9:30 p.m. in an alley near the intersection of Allison and 8th Streets NW.

More information on Mr. Rawls on homicidewatch.org

http://homicidewatch.org/category/victims/derrick-rawls

"May G-d bless your soul"

Nicholas Satcher's memorial

From police reports: On Wednesday, January 5, 2011, at approximately 7:20 pm, units from the Sixth District responded to the 4200 block of Gault Place NE, Washington DC, for the report of a shooting. Upon their arrival on the scene, they located the victim, Nicholas Satcher, 22, of NE, suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

On January 5, 2011, Ronald Page, 58, of Northeast DC was arrested and charged with Murder One while Armed.

This shrine was in a small park in the 4400 block of Grant Street NE, about 2 blocks from the house where Mr. Satcher was killed. I spoke with two of his friends at the site, who had participated in creating the shrine and taken place in a vigil.

Some information on the vigil is on homicidewatch.org

http://homicidewatch.org/2011/01/09/vigil-tonight-for-nicholas-satcher/

Double Homicide- shrine for Rashid Paul and D'Angelo Thompson

From police reports: On Sunday, January 23, 2011, at approximately 7:00 pm, units from the Fourth District responded to the 6000 block of New Hampshire Avenue NE, Washington DC, for the sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, officers canvassed the area and located two victims inside a vehicle in the 100 block of Peabody Street NE. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and determined neither victim had any signs consistent with life. The decedents have been identified as Rashid Paul, 26, of Northwest DC, and D’Angelo Thompson, 27, of Northeast DC.

This small sad shrine affected me. All of them do. Peace to their families.

More information is at the always excellent site, homicidewatch.org

http://homicidewatch.org/category/victims/rashid-paul/

Shrine on St. Barnabus Road, Temple Hills MD to Clifton Turner

From police reports: At approximately 12:43 am January 4, 2011, patrol officers responded to the 3900 block of Bexley Place, Temple Hills, Maryland, after receiving a call for a shooting in the parking lot of the Upscale Ballroom. Upon arrival, officers found Clifton Antion Turner, 42, of Laurel, Maryland, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on scene. Detectives are currently working to identify a suspect(s) and establish a motive in this case.

I believe this shrine is to Mr. Turner, but am not 100% certain. It is very near the small road leading to the Upscale Ballroom's parking lot. PG County has been experiencing a terrible streak of violence this winter. I pray for a blossoming of peace in the community, and wisdom.

Of note, from the website GoryPG

·Shot at the "Upscale Ballroom" nearby murders: ca. 300 feet, Abraham Isaiah Bell, 23, was shot at the nearest intersection, 1/23/06; ca. 1/5 mile, Van Johnson, 28, was shot during a running gun battle on Branch Avenue, 9/24/08; ca. 1/4 mile, Lakita Danielle Tolson was shot at an unlicensed club, 11/5/05; ca. 1/3 mile, Deangelo Kevin Alston, 19, was shot nearby, 11/9/08.
http://gorypg.blogspot.com