Newborn baby... abandoned to die | 3000 block of Channing Street NE | tender memorial

From a DC police report: On Sunday, January 15, 2012, at approximately 11:34 pm, units from the Fifth District and personnel from DC Fire and EMS responded to the 3000 block of Channing Street NE, Washington DC, to investigate the report of an unconscious infant. Upon their arrival, they observed a resident at that location performing CPR on an unconscious infant. The infant was transported to Children’s National Medical Center, where the infant was pronounced dead at 2:21 am on Monday, January 16, 2012.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that a resident in the 3000 block of Channing Street, NE was walking home when he observed the infant wrapped in a towel on a step of another residence in the same block. The resident and another witness determined that the infant was cold and unconscious, and brought the infant into their home and called 911. The cause of death is unknown at this time. The investigation is continuing.

Much more about this extraordinarily sad situation is at HomicideWatch.


Seeing the touching memorial to this unknown innocent, on a quiet street of single-family homes, made my heart hurt.


יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא.

14th Street & Park Rd NW | Juan Antonio Paredes

DC police press officers said an assault was reported at 14th and Park Streets NW at about 1:55 pm Saturday, January 14, 2012. The victim, Juan Antonio Paredes, 45, was beaten with a steel pole and Jeffrey Mills was arrested in the incident. DC Councilman Jim Graham said that he understood that the incident was “a serious fight between two persons vending.”

More information is at HomicideWatch.

All that remained of the incident was this police tape. Apparently there had been a large bloodstain on the sidewalk near the bike racks where the slaying occurred, but there was no sign of it, nor of any memorial other than the police crime scene tape.

Howard Ricardo Sampler's memorial / big blue bird...

This large shrine was erected in a neighborhood where there have been several homicides in the past few weeks.

From a DC Police report: On Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at approximately 5:55 pm units from the Sixth District responded to a call for a shooting in the 1500 block of 45th Street NE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located the victim, an adult male, identified as Howard Ricardo Sampler, 21, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim to local area hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
More information at HomicdeWatch.

RIP to Mr. Sampler, and peace to the community.

Flowers and a blue candle for David Lee Robinson / Foote Street NE

From a DC Police report: On Sunday, January 08, 2012, at approximately 2:21 am, officers from the Sixth District heard the sounds of gunshots in the area of 58th and Foote Streets NE, Washington DC, and responded to investigate. Upon arriving the officers located an adult male victim, identified as David Lee Robinson, 19, suffering from gunshot wounds and who was unconscious and unresponsive. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

According to a press report, he was apparently killed for his sneakers.
More information is at HomicideWatch,

Very sad situation. Peace to all in his circle.

Memorial on Southern Avenue to Rose and Tie Tie

This memorial for two teen girls, who died in a fiery car crash on August 12, 2011, is on Southern Avenue, directly across from the United Medical Center.

Tiasiah Branham, 16, nicknamed Tie Tie, and another girl, 17, otherwise unidentified but nicknamed Rose, were fondly regarded by their family and friends.

Though the accident was handled by DC police and rescue personnel, the memorial is on the Prince George's County side of the avenue.

This information was gathered from DC Police, news reports, and observation at the site.

RIP.