J.R. Reed Franklin's memorial at the Bradbury Recreation Center, Suitland, Maryland

From a Prince George's Police report: The Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating a homicide in Suitland, Maryland. The victim is J.R. Reed Franklin, 22,  of Temple Hills. Preliminarily, this does not appear to be a random act.
On August 16, 2015, at about 5:30 pm, officers with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police and the Prince George’s County Police Department were called to the Bradbury Recreation Center in the 2300 block of Ewing Avenue, Suitland, Maryland, for the report of a shooting. When they arrived, they found Franklin suffering from gunshot wounds. He died a short time later at a hospital.

The preliminary investigation reveals Franklin got into an argument with a group of individuals in the parking lot. During that argument, one of the suspects shot the victim. The group then fled the area. Investigators are working to identify a motive and the suspects in this case.

From the Washington Post:

"In the parking lot of the Bradbury Heights Recreation Center in Suitland, candles flickered and tears fell Thursday as dozens who knew J.R. Reid Franklin gathered around his mother, Fern Franklin, and two other women who were chastising the crowd. “You’re cowards,” Alvina Smith said... “It’s not right for you to kill each other,” Victoria Lee, 56, told them, pointing her finger sharply. "

Peace. Peace and justice needed.

RIP Shaun Simmons - memorial in the 1300 block of Savannah Street SE DC

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating the homicide that occurred in the 1300 block of Savannah Street SE, Washington DC on Saturday, August 1, 2015, at approximately 4:23 am.

Members of the Seventh District responded to a call for a shooting. Upon their arrival, officers located an adult male,  identified as Shaun Simmons, 18, unconscious and unresponsive, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to an area hospital where all life-saving efforts failed and he was pronounced dead. 

From the Washington Post: An 18-year-old who a friend said was about to begin his senior year at Ballou High School was one of two young men fatally shot in the District early Saturday morning.

Police said Shaun Simmons, of Southeast, was shot multiple times in the 1300 block of Savannah Street SE in Congress Heights, at about 4 a.m. He was found lying in the street and was taken to an area hospital where he died of his injuries.

A friend of Simmons said he enjoyed football, wanted to go to college and planned to join the Job Corps after high school.

“He really was a caring and loving person... He always did this smile when people were sad or angry and it would just make your whole day.”

Amari Jenkins "Be Calm and Trust God" - Memorial at St. Luke Church, 4900 block of East Capitol Street SE

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating the shooting fatal shooting that occurred in the 4900 block of East Capitol Street SE, Washington DC, on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, at approximately 12:11 pm. The decedent has been identified as Amari Jenkins, 21.

This shrine to Mr. Jenkins was built in his honor by his friends and family, is on the steps of St. Luke Catholic Church, on the spot where he was shot.

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

William Burke, Jr's shrine | 800 block of 18th Street NE, DC | Chill Will

From a DC police report: On Sunday, August 2, 2015, at approximately 5:32 am, members of the Fifth District responded to the 800 block of 18th Street NE, Washington DC, for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival, officers located an unconscious male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to an area hospital where all life-saving efforts failed and he was pronounced dead.The decedent has been identified as William Burke, Jr., 34.

This large and impressive memorial was erected in Mr. Burke's honor.

Shrine site Woodland Terrace SE DC- removed by Housing and Police officials

Mr Ronald Lee, a lifelong Woodland Terrace resident, and respected local peacemaker, showed me where the large shrine to Antonio McCallister, recently slain in the Woodland Terrace complex of Southeast DC, had been. He said it was removed by Housing and DC Police officials shortly after the community built it.

There were two recent homicides in Woodland Terrace, and there is a large and clearly visible police presence now in place to protect the citizens.

From DC Police reports:
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating the homicide that occurred on Friday, July 24, 2015, at approximately 10:31 pm. Officers from the Seventh District responded to a call for the sound of a gunshot in the 2700 Block of Langston Place SE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim, identified as Antonio McCallister, 23, to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

On Tuesday, July 28, 2015, at approximately 5:16 pm, officers from the Seventh District responded to the sounds of gunshots in the area of the 2300 block of Ainger Place SE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.  DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and did not find any signs of life. The decedent has been identified as Melvin Williams, 31.

Peace and wisdom to all, and justice.

Toys for Jerome Michael Toy - shrine to his memory in the 6400 block of Livingston Road in Oxon Hill

From the Prince George’s County Police Department: The department is investigating a homicide in Oxon Hill, Maryland. The victim is Jerome Michael Toy, 18. Preliminarily, detectives do not believe this was a random act.
On July 30, 2015, at about 12:45 am, officers on patrol in the 6400 block of Livingston Road in Oxon Hill found the victim in the roadway. He was suffering from a stab wound in the upper body. The officers quickly grabbed a department-issued trauma kit and began to administer first aid. Toy was rushed to a hospital where he died of his injuries. The preliminary investigation reveals the victim was stabbed inside an apartment building on Livingston Road. Detectives believe he ran from the building following the stabbing and collapsed in the roadway. A suspect, Ludwin Lemus-Torres,14, is in custody in connection with this fatal stabbing. He will be charged as an adult with first degree murder and related charges. The preliminary investigation reveals a dispute between the suspect and victim escalated to the stabbing  

Shrine for Isiah Agyekum | 100 block of Darrington Street SW DC

From a DC police report: On Thursday, July 23, 2015, at approximately 4:55 pm, Officers from the Seventh District responded to a call for a shooting in the 100 block of Darrington Street SW, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Isiah Agyekum, 25.

Street memorial for Hudson Bhagwat, 700 block of Maury Avenue Oxon Hill, MD

From the Prince George’s County Police Department: Detectives are investigating a homicide in Oxon Hill, Maryland. The victim is Hudson Bhagwat, 37. Preliminarily, detectives do not believe this was a random act. On July 20, 2015, at about 8:00 pm, patrol officers were called to the 700 block of Maury Avenue for the report of a shooting. When they arrived, they found the victim outside suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Flowers and sneakers for Derrick Black, 3300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW DC

From a DC police report: On Thursday, July 30, 2015, at approximately 9:25 pm, in the 3300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington DC, members of the Third District responded for a call of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Derrick Black, 24.

RIP young Mister Black.

Memorial for Bryan Perkins | 600 block of Edgewood Street NE DC | #LONGLIVESWIZZ

From a DC Police report: On Thursday, July 30, 2015, at approximately 9:25 pm, in the 3300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington DC, members of the Third District responded for a call of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Derrick Black, 24.
Peace. Now.

"shrines" - a short film

Aldo Bello and Chris O'Leary of Mind and Media have created a haunting and poetic short film about my work documenting DC area street memorials to victims of violence.

Entitled "shrines," it captures the essence of what the shrines represent, and why they matter.

Aldo, Chris, thank you for your meaningful work.

Please take look: https://vimeo.com/135452729

Blood on the sidewalk...