Site of a triple homicide | Lakeysha Walters, Shaneka Walters, and James Gibson | 1400 block of Southern Avenue, Oxon Hill MD

This scrap of police crime tape is all that lingers as public evidence of the triple murder of Lakeysha Walters, Shaneka Walters, and James Gibson, who were slain near this site in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on November 13, 2015.

From a Washington Post article: A woman, her daughter and another man were shot in this domestic-related triple homicide. Two women and a man were fatally shot in an apartment in Oxon Hill late Friday in what was thought to be a domestic dispute, Prince George’s County police said.
Police said Clifford John Browne Jr., 34, of Capitol Heights was charged in the deaths of Lakeysha Walters, 40; her daughter Shaneka Walters, 25; and James Gibson, 45. It was not clear what the relationship was between the suspect and the three victims. Gibson’s relationship to the two women also was not immediately clear. The victims were found about 10:20 p.m. Friday in an apartment in the 1400 block of Southern Avenue, the site of the Forest Hill Apartments complex. The apartments are across from the United Medical Center on the District line.

Street shrine | Corner of 28th Street SE and Texas Ave SE DC

This vivid street shrine is to a person or persons unknown to me.

It is of fairly recent construction, at the corner of the 1700 block of 28th Street SE and the 2800 block of Texas Avenue SE, Washington DC.

It is possibly maintained for Robert Maurice Lesueur, then 23 years old, who was shot to death a block away on October 22. 2012. The DC Police report on his death is here.

Someone cares.

It matters.

Yellow crime tape at the site of Kevin Dennis Prater's demise. 1000 block of Savannah Street SE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred in the 1000 block of Savannah Street SE, Washington DC, on Monday, December 28, 2015. At approximately 8:20 pm, members of the Seventh District responded to the report of the sounds of gunshots.  Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.  DCFEMS members arrived on the scene and found no signs of life. The decedent has been identified as Kevin Dennis Prater, 31, of no fixed address.

I spoke at length to an interesting concerned person when documenting this site. The author/activist J.A. Lesesne Bnjhmm grew up in the home adjacent to where the slaying occurred. His aged mother still lives in the house, a community of largely resident-owned single-family residences. Needless to say, this sad and terrible violent act has an impact that reverberates.

I got to the site the day after the homicide.

Blessings and peace to all. Peace.

Yellow tape at the site of Darnell Antonio Mayfield's slaying

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred in the 2300 block of Hartford Street SE, Washington DC, on Monday, December 28, 2015. At approximately 5:39 pm, members of the Seventh District responded to the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DCFEMS transported the victim, identified as Darnell Antonio Mayfield, 34, to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

Te Amo. Shrine for Jose Ochoa | 4100 block of 8th Street NW DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred in the 4100 block of 8th Street NW, Washington DC,  on Sunday, December 20, 2015. At approximately 5:20 pm, members of the Fourth District responded to a call for a man down. Upon arrival, they located a male victim, unconscious, and suffering from stab wounds. D.C. Fire and Emergency Services responded to the scene and transported the victim, identified as Jose Ochoa, 17, to a local hospital, where all lifesaving efforts failed.

Te Amo, RIP.

Site of Arthur Baldwin's slaying. 4700 block of 1st Street SW DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred in the 4700 block of 1st Street SW, Washington DC, on Tuesday, December 15, 2015. At approximately 2:51 pm, members of the Seventh District were flagged down in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, they located an adult male, unconscious, and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. D.C. Fire and Emergency Services responded to the scene and transported the victim, identified as Arthur Baldwin, 30, to a local hospital, where all lifesaving efforts failed.

I found the police tape in the woods of the road at this area, the southernmost neighborhood of the District. I am not sure if the flowers are placed in memory of Mr. Baldwin, but they were directly adjacent to the site of his slaying.

RIP Big Mayo - shrine to Charles Mayo, Bennet Place NE DC

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that resulted from a shooting that occurred in the 1900 block of Bennett Place NE, Washington DC, on Thursday, December 10, 2015, at approximately 1:37 pm. Members of the Fifth District responded to a call for a shooting. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment where on Thursday, December 17, 2015, the victim, identified as Charles Mayo, 53, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.  

This somewhat unusual memorial creation to Mr. Mayo is in what had been a reasonably quiet neighborhood in the past. Unfortunately, there have been three homicides within a two block area in the recent months.

Peace and justice needed.

Shrine to Tiff | 5300 block of Dix Street NE

There have been two recent violent shooting deaths in the 5300 block of Dix Street NE, Washington DC. 

I documented this shrine there, on the edge of the Clay Terrace neighborhood. I do not know who it was erected for. The person honored was nicknamed Tiff.

In any case, I wish peace and justice for the families affected, and for the community.

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 5300 block of Dix Street NE, Washington DC, on Thursday, October 29, 2015, at approximately 7:14 am. Members of the Sixth District responded to a call for a shooting. Upon their arrival to the scene, they found an unconscious adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim, identified as Leon Reid Jr., 35, was transported to a local hospital where all lifesaving efforts failed and he was pronounced.

From a DC police report: The Metropolitan Police Department has identified the decedent in the fatal police-involved shooting that took place in the 5300 block of Dix Street NE, Washington DC, on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at approximately 1:52 pm as Darick Napper, 34.

I revisited this site in June 2017, looking for a possible shrine for a more recent homicide victim in this block. There was no new shrine, but these two shrines were still evident.

Reward poster | site of Percy Williams slaying - 1900 block of Capitol Avenue NE

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 1900 block of Capitol Avenue NE, Washington DC, on Monday October 19, 2015, at approximately 2:06 am. Members of the Fifth District responded to a call for sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, they found an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injury and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Percy Williams, 20.

This neighborhood is challenged in many ways. Peace and hope are sorely needed.

"I Love You Daddy" - memorial for Norman Joaquin in the 1900 block of Q Street SE

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that took place in the 1900 block of Q Street SE, Washington DC, on Wednesday, October 21, 2015, at approximately 9:32 pm. Members of the Seventh District responded to the area of Minnesota Avenue and Q Street SE, Washington DC, for a reported shooting. An adult male was located suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and showing no signs consistent with life. The decedent remained on the scene and was later transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The decedent has been identified as Norman Joaquin, 42.

Reading the note from his child on this shrine made me cry.

A prayer is needed for peace, strength, justice, and healing.

Rest in Peace Flavor | shrine for Nathaniel Moody, 2200 block of G Street NE

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 2200 block of G Street NE, Washington DC, on Thursday, October 22, 2015, at approximately 4:33 pm. Members of the Fifth District responded to a call for a stabbing. Upon arrival on the scene, members located the victim suffering from stab wounds. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to an area hospital, where the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Nathaniel Moody, 51.

Peace to his family.

Murder graffiti | rear of 600 Audrey Lane, Oxon Hill MD

So far as I know this rough graffiti tag marks no specific homicide. 

I was looking for a potential shrine in this block to Keyshaun Mason, 14, who was murdered nearby on October 19, 2015.

The Prince George’s County Police Department arrested Sean Crawford, 48, of the 600 block of Audrey Lane in Oxon Hill, Maryland, for the stabbing fatality, and for the attempted murder of a second victim, 18, who survived.

A sad situation. 

In memory of Muhammad Washington | shrines in the 4200 block of Edson Street NE

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 600 block of 42nd Street NE, Washington DC, on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, at approximately 11:42 am. Members of the Sixth District were directed to an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to an area hospital, where the victim succumbed to his injury and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Muhammad Washington, 20.

These two shrines were erected a block away from the address reported for the shooting. Both are in the 4200 block of Edson Street NE.

Police crime scene tape at the site of Marcus Manor's slaying | 2900 block Sherman Avenue NW

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced an arrest has been made in the homicide which occurred in the 2900 block of Sherman Avenue NW, Washington DC, on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at approximately 11:10 am. Members of the Third District responded to a call for the sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, they located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim, identified as Marcus Manor, 38, succumbed to his injuries on scene and was pronounced dead. On Monday, October 26, 2015, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Kevin Chase, 28, of Northwest, DC. He was charged with First Degree Murder While Armed. 

Street shrine for Kenneth Eugene Cosby | 1400 block of V Street SE

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 1400 block of V Street SE, Washington DC, on Friday, October 30, 2015 at approximately 12:58 am.                                            

Members of the Seventh District were patrolling in the area, when they heard gunshots and responded to the scene. Upon their arrival, they found an adult male unconscious and unresponsive, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim, identified as Kenneth Eugene Cosby, 36, was transported to a local hospital where all lifesaving efforts failed and he was pronounced.

Much peace and healing needed.

Memorial for Frederick Etheridge, III | 6000 block of Eads Street NE

From a DC police report: On Monday, November 16, 2015, at approximately 3:48 pm, members of the Sixth District responded to a call for a shooting in the 6000 block of Eads Street NE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, the victim was found suffering from a gunshot wound. DCFEMS transported the victim, identified as Frederick Etheridge, III, 28, to a local hospital where all lifesaving efforts proved to be futile. On Tuesday, November 17, 2015, detectives from the Homicide Branch arrested Sharay Brittney Guy, 24, and charged her with Murder Two while Armed. 

Peace.

Crime scene tape: Eric Jones | 500 block of Morse Street NE

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that took place in the 500 block of Morse Street NE, Washington DC,  on Thursday, October 22, 2015, at approximately 1:10 am. Members of the Fifth District responded to the report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, they located an adult male within the block suffering from stab wounds, who was unconscious and unresponsive. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to area hospital. The victim, identified as Eric Jones, 19, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. 

This homicide occurred in the busy wholesale trade area off Florida Avenue, near Union Market.

Memory made flesh | RIP tattoo

I recently photographed Ms. Sabrina Moore, of Southeast Washington DC. She lost a relative, Dee, to homicide when she was a young girl.

She has a tattoo to him inked into her arm to remember and to honor.

Flowers for Uyer Bernard Hooper | street memorial in the 6400 block of 7th Street NW, DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 6400 block of 7th Street NW, Washington DC, on Sunday, September 6, 2015, at approximately 3:22 am. Members of the Fourth District responded for the report of a shooting and upon arrival, they located one adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim, Uyer Barnard Hooper, 55, to an area hospital, where lifesaving efforts failed and he was pronounced dead. A second victim, an adult male, suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound and was driven to an area hospital in a privately owned vehicle.

Shortly after the shooting on Sunday, September 6, 2015 at approximately 9:00 am, a suspect was developed and Dejuan Etheredge, 27, was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder While Armed.

Let us all say a prayer for justice and peace, and continue work to heal our wounded communities.

Shrine in the 1100 block of Stevens Road SE

This shrine is in the Barry Farms area of Southeast Washington DC.  As there have been several recent homicides in the complex this summer, and there was no signage, I was unable to determine for certain in whose memory it is erected. This shrine is in the rear of the 1100 block Stevens Rd SE, Washington DC.

It is likely for either Ernest Massenberg-Bey, Jr, who was slain in the adjacent block on September 28, 2015, or for Antonio Dean, who was murdered in another close-by block of Stevens Road on August 22, 2015.

In any case, may they both rest in peace. And peace to all in this embattled neighborhood.

From a DC police report: Members of the Seventh District responded to investigate the sounds of gunshots in the 1100 block of Eaton Road SE, Washington DC, on Monday, September 28, 2015 at approximately 7:34 pm. They located two adult male victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds at the location. DC Fire and EMS transported both victims to area hospitals. One was admitted in critical condition while the other victim, identified as Ernest Massenberg-Bey, Jr., 21, after life-saving efforts failed, was pronounced dead.

From a DC police report: On Saturday, August 22, 2015, at approximately 2:51 am, Mr. Antonio Dean was shot and killed in the 1300 block of Stevens Road SE, Washington DC.

Mr Dean's mother has confirmed that this memorial is to her son. RIP.

This shrine was still standing and being maintained on June 25, 2018.