Memorial for Francisco Orlando Rivas, 10th and Gallatin Streets NE

From a DC police report: On Thursday, February 23, 2012, at approximately 6:25 pm, units from the Fourth District responded to the area of 10th and Gallatin Street NE, Washington DC, for the report of a man down. Upon their arrival, they located the victim, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Personnel from the DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim identified as Francisco Orlando Rivas, 19, to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Slain while on the job in a generally fairly quiet neighborhood, Mr. Rivas was a hardworking pizza delivery driver. He leaves behind a grieving family and a two-year-old child.

This shrine was erected at a vigil attended by friends and family. There were a large number of candles lit in his memory.

May his loved ones know peace, and justice.

More, including video news links, are at HomicideWatch.

Li'l Chris | Memorial 5300 block of 85th Avenue, New Carrolton

I documented this shrine to Christoper "Lil Chris" Smith, at the edge of a basketball court, very near the New Carrolton Metro station.

Candles, bears, and evocations of the sacred heart of Jesus were gathered and displayed in his memory.

From a PG Police report: The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating the murder of Christopher Donald Smith, 16, in New Carrollton, Maryland. On February 6, 2012, at approximately 10:45 p.m., a passerby observed a body along a wood line near the 5300 block of 85th Avenue and called 911. Patrol officers responded and found Smith, of Landover, lying near a sediment pond suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on scene.

See GoryPG to follow the situation.

Lewis Rashad Dixon | yellow tape on Saratoga Avenue NE

From a DC Police report: On Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at approximately 5:00 pm, units from the Fifth District responded to the 1300 block of Saratoga Avenue NE, Washington DC, for the report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they located the victim, identified as Lewis Rashad Dixon, 21, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

It was a beautiful winter afternoon, but I often find these remnants from the police investigations at homicide sites to be quietly mournful, sobering, and poignant.

More information at HomicideWatch.

"Please Remember Me" - Memorial for Japarker 'Deoni' Jones, 4900 block of East Capitol Street NE

According to the Washington Blade, over 200 people attended the vigil for slain transgender woman Japarker "Deoni" Jones.

From a DC police report: On Thursday, February 2, 2012, at approximately 8:13 pm, a Metro Transit Police Officer was flagged down for an assault at a bus stop in the 4900 block of East Capitol Street NE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, the officer located a transgender female, who was unconscious and unresponsive suffering from a stab wound. Units from the Sixth District and DC Fire EMS responded to the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital and was admitted in critical condition. On Friday, February 3, 2012, at 2:35 am, the victim, identified as JaParker Jones, 23, also known as “Deoni” and “Logan."

Ms. Jones is one of several transgender DC citizens murdered in the last couple of years. The City and police are pursuing this issue.

People I spoke to at the bus stop where the memorial was erected were very upset at this crime, including one individual who also appeared to be transgender. I was told that the murderer stabbed Ms. Jones in the head, then ran away. They expressed care for his family; several knew Deoni or his mother, and shook their heads at this senseless and cruel fate.

There is considerably more about all this at HomicideWatch.

On the photograph placed on the shrine, there is a note that reads
My name is Deoni, and my life was taken February 02, 2012 "Please Remember Me"

Flowers and tears. May all know peace, and may justice, justice be done.

Site of a fatal accident after a shooting - 400 block Taylor Street NE

From a DC police report: On Sunday, January 29, 2012, at approximately 2:56 am, units from the Fourth District received several calls for the sounds of gunshots in the 700 block of Otis Place NW, Washington DC. While responding, a MPD cruiser was flagged down at the corner of Georgia Avenue and New Hampshire Avenue, NW, by an unidentified black male who stated that unknown suspects had just shot at him from a burgundy colored Plymouth minivan with Virginia tags. A lookout was broadcast and another MPD unit observed a burgundy minivan speeding in the 300 block of Upshur Street, NW, passing through stop signs without stopping. A pursuit was then initiated and ended in the 400 block of Taylor Street, NE, when the suspect vehicle lost control, struck a tree, and then struck another MPD vehicle that was responding to the scene for support. Personnel from DC Fire and EMS responded at the scene of the crash. The two officers in the vehicle that was struck sustained non-life threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital. All three occupants of the suspect vehicle were ejected. Two of suspects died of their injuries. The third male suspect, a juvenile, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. The decedents have been identified as Thaddeus Alphonso Howard, 19, and William Kurland Joseph Adams IV, 18, both of DC. Evidence recovered indicates that the vehicle was involved in a shooting. MPD units returned to the scene where the male flagged them down, but have been unable to locate him.