"...Love You Uncle Alonzo" - Shrine to Alonzo Beasley, 22nd and I Streets NE

From a DC police report: On Sunday, July 6, 2014, at approximately 3:33 pm officers from the Fifth District responded to a call for a stabbing at 22nd and I Streets NE, Washington DC. Upon their arrival, an adult male was located suffering from stab wounds to the body. Personnel from DC Fire and EMS transported the victim, identified as Alonzo Gregory Beasley, 52, to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. On Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at approximately 1:25 pm, pursuant to an arrest warrant, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Malik Bilal, 38. He was charged with Second Degree Murder While Armed in the death of Alonzo Gregory Beasley.

More information is on on HomicideWatch.

RIP Xavier Lyles- memorial to a child on Pomeroy Road SE

From a DC police report: On Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at approximately 11:07 am, police officers from the Seventh Patrol District responded to a call for service for the report of an unconscious child in the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road SE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located a male toddler, identified as Xavier Lyles, 3, unconscious and unresponsive. DC Fire and EMS found no signs consistent with life. The cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt force injuries. The manner was ruled a homicide

I spoke with three ladies near this child's shrine. They said that the recent rains had washed away much of the shrine, including the little boy's photograph.

One woman told me she had built a shrine to her slain daughter just up the block a few years ago.

A blessing from whatever heaven his family can find, and wings of peace for his innocent soul.

More information is on HomicideWatch.

Memorial for India Chapple on Pomeroy Road SE

I found this memorial after some neighbors pointed it out to me. Ms. Chapple lost her life in April 2014. Her shrine has been maintained for some months by her loved ones. It is within 100 feet of the memorial for Xavier Lyles

From a DC police report: On Saturday, April 19, 2014, at approximately 2:17 am, officers from the Seventh District responded to a call for the report of an unconscious person in the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road SE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located an adult female, identified as India Chapple, 26, suffering from an apparent stab wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services arrived on the scene and transported her to a local hospital for treatment where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead.

On Saturday, April 19, 2014, at approximately 10:45 am, Tracy Mathis, 30, was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder While Armed in the stabbing death of India Chapple.

There is additional and ongoing information about this case on HomicideWatch.

My justice be served, and her loved ones know peace.

RIP Mary Anne Thomas | 1200 block of Howison Place SW

From a DC police report: On Friday, June 27, 2014, at approximately 4:15 am, members from the First District responded to a call for a check on the welfare in the 1200 block of Howison Place SW, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located an adult female unconscious and unresponsive inside the residence.  DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and found no signs consistent with life.  The decedent, identified as Mary Anne Thomas, 53, was subsequently transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia where an autopsy was conducted and determined the decedent suffered a gunshot wound.

The neighborhood she lived in is very near both Arena Stage and the National's Stadium.

There is more information on Ms. Thomas's case at HomicideWatch.

Peace.

"A light in the neighborhood" Memorial for James Oh, 5500 block of Colorado Avenue NW

From a DC police report: On Friday, July 4, 2014, at approximately 5:19 pm, members from the Fourth District responded to a call for a robbery in progress in the 5500 block of Colorado Avenue, NW, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located an adult male semi-conscious and suffering from head trauma. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim, identified as James Oh, 76, to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

His wife, Soonai, was also injured in the robbery.

I spoke with several people at the site, many of whom were involved in building it. Mr. Oh and his wife were beloved fixtures in the community, known for their humor, kindness, and generosity.

Two of the notes on the memorial to Mr. Oh read, in part:
"You were a light in the neighborhood and will be missed"
and in crayon, in a child's hand:
"I love you for all the candy and ice cream. You are so special."

May he and his family have peace, and may justice be served.

There is a thoughtful article about Mr. Oh in the Washington Post.

More information can be followed at HomicideWatch.