Memorial for Christopher Emanuel Freeman | 300 block of 34th Street SE

From DC police reports: On Friday August 5, 2011, at approximately 3:00 am, units from the Sixth District responded to the 300 block of 34th Street SE, Washington DC, to investigate the sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, they observed a male in the alley suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS determined that the victim, Christopher Emanuel Freeman, 28, had no signs consistent with life. A second victim was also wounded and transported to an area hospital.

On Thursday, August 11, 2011 at approximately 4:30 pm, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested James Fields, 31, of no fixed address, charging him with Second Degree Murder while Armed.

I have photographed several street shrines in this neighborhood. I was questioned today very warily by a passerby, who eased up when I explained what my purposes were.

I pray justice and peace are served in this unhappy situation.

More information is at HomicideWatch.

Double homicide- Patricia Mercer-Harris & Frank Harris Jr | Ft. Washington MD

From a PG County police report: On August 4, 2011, at approximately 4:37 a.m. Prince George's County patrol officers responded to 11800 block of Hickory Drive, Fort Washington, Maryland for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered the bodies of Patricia Mercer-Harris, 56, and Frank Arthur Harris Jr., 20, inside the residence. Both victims were found shot and pronounced deceased on the scene.

An intensive investigation is ongoing.

I found these candle drippings left in memorial at the front of the residence, which is in a quiet, leafy suburban neighborhood.

Sad.

More information at GoryPG.

Dwight Gaiter - crime scene tape/56th Street NE

From DC police reports:On Tuesday, August 9, 2011, at approximately 12:15 am, units from the Sixth District responded to the 400 block of 56th Street NE, Washington DC, to investigate the report of a stabbing. They found a male victim suffering from an apparent stab wound. Personnel from the DC Fire and EMS transported the victim, Dwight Gaiter, 26, to an area hospital where he was being treated for his injuries. On August 10, 2011 at approximately 6:30 pm., the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

I found it especially sad to see that the mailbox at the house was stuffed full; no one was there to get the mail anymore.

RIP.

More information at HomicideWatch.

RIP Jasmine Jerona Banks

There are a few remnants of a large candle-lit vigil for Jasmine Banks outside the now shuttered MSG club, located in a strip mall in Capitol Heights.

From a PG police report: On August 8, 2011, at approximately 2:44 am., patrol officers responded to the 7900 block of Central Avenue, Capitol Heights, Maryland, for the report of a shooting, outside the MSG nightclub. When the officers arrived, they found Jasmine Jerona Banks, 20, of District Heights, Maryland, and another male victim suffering from gunshot wounds. Banks was transported to a local hospital where she was admitted in critical condition. She was pronounced deceased the next afternoon as a result from her injuries. The male victim was also transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

I have been to this site on a couple of previous occasions when murders had occurred in the vicinity, though had never previously found any memorials built at the site, which is on a busy commercial property.

Prince Georges County authorities have now ordered the club closed for several violations.

Considerably more information is at GoryPG.

Prayers for this young woman and her loved ones.

Osman Al-Akbar | 2600 block of University Place, NW

This crime scene tape is at the site where Osman Al-Akbar was slain. As the crime had just occurred the day prior to my site visit, no memorial had yet arisen.

Peace be upon you, Mr. Al-Akbar.

From DC police sources: On Wednesday, August 17, 2011, at approximately 1:39 am, units from the Third District responded to the 2600 block of University Place NW, Washington DC, to investigate the report of sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, they observed a male lying in the street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS determined that the victim, Osman Al-Akbar, 19, had no signs consistent with life, and was pronounced later dead by a member of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Shortly after the shooting, Third District officers stopped two suspects in connection with the homicide. After further investigation by detectives from the Homicide Branch, Rashid Caviness-Bey, 19, of Northwest and a 15-year old male of Capitol Heights, MD, were charged with First Degree Felony Murder while Armed and Carrying a Pistol Without a license (CPWL).

For more information see HomicideWatch.