"There are no words" - Street memorial for Ruthanne Lodato. Alexandria, Virginia

From an Alexandria VA police report: On February 6, 2014, at approximately 11:35 a.m., officers responded to the 2400 block of Ridge Road, Alexandria Virginia, for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located two adult female victims inside a residence. The victims were transported to local hospitals. One victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The other victim succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. She had been identified as Ruthanne Lodato, 59, Alexandria resident. Initial investigation indicates the suspect knocked on the door of the residence and shot the two victims when they answered the door. The suspect then fled. He is described as an older white male, balding with gray hair and a full beard. Police continued to search for the suspect. A preliminary search caused the lockdown of several Alexandria City Public schools.

Ms. Lodato was a long-time beloved music teacher in the area. Her students, family, and the community have been shocked and grieved by her loss.

Alexandria Police are investigating the possibility that this homicide may be related to two other unsolved slayings in the city.

There is considerably more information on this sad situation in the Washington Post.


Let there be sung a psalm for peace.

Shrine for Marcus Minor, 1300 block Stevens Road SE, Washington DC. Barry Farms.

From a DC Police report: On Friday, January 24, 2014, at approximately 2:42 pm, members from the Seventh District responded to a call for a report of sounds of gunshots in the 1300 block of Stevens Road SE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located an adult male, identified as Marcus Minor, 21, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS determined that there were no signs consistent with life. 

Many people have lost their lives to violence in the Barry Farms neighborhood. I continue to pray for justice, wisdom, and especially, peace for the community, and healing for the families who have lost loved ones this way.

More on Mr. Minor's case can be followed on HomicideWatch.

V-Neck's Last Order. "Da Hood Out" Misses Your Smile. Street memorial to Vincent Purvis, 600 block Yuma Street SE, Washington DC

From a DC Police report: On Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at approximately 3:29 pm, members from the Seventh District responded to a call for the sounds of gunshots in the 600 block of Yuma Street SE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim, identified as Vincent Purvis, 20, to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

On January 25, 2014, at approximately 7:50 am Robert Osborne, 41, was arrested by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force and charged with Second Degree Murder.

This vibrant shrine is across the street from the Ferrebee-Hope Community Center.

More information on young Mr. Purvis's case can be found on HomicideWatch.

Site of passage: Oluremi Thomas and Keyonna Proctor - 700 block of Girard Street NW, Washington DC

From a DC Police report: On Monday, January 20, 2014, at approximately 10:56 pm, police officers from the Third District responded to a call for the report of an unconscious person in the 700 block of Girard Street NW, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located an adult male and an adult female suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Neither victim exhibited any signs consistent with life. The male victim has been identified as Oluremi Thomas, 36. The female victim has been identified as Keyonna Proctor, 24.

The police crime tape to the victims of this double murder was in a quiet snow-filled alley not far from Howard University.

More information on their case can be found on HomicideWatch.

Peace.

Site of passage: George Hartzog - 4500 block of Quarles Street NE, Washington DC

From a DC Police report: On Friday, January 24, 2014, at approximately 9:31 am, members from the Sixth District responded to a call for a report of a shooting in the 4500 block of Quarles Street NE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.  DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and determined that there were no signs consistent with life. The decedent, George Edward Hartzog, 24, remained on the scene and was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia, pending an autopsy. 

These shoes, recently tossed over utility wires, may be a memorial for Mr. Hartzog.

May he rest in peace, and his loved ones find comfort and justice.

More information on this case is at HomicideWatch.

Teddy bears in the snow. Memorial for Deangelo Gatling, 24th Street SE, Washington DC

From a DC Police report: On Sunday, January 12, 2014, at approximately 2:06 pm, members from the Seventh District responded to a call for the report of a shooting in the 2300 block of 24th Street, SE, Washington DC. Upon their arrival, members located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim, identified as Deangelo Gatling, 18, to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

More on Mr. Gatling's case is at HomicideWatch.