Crime scene tape at the site of Willie James Young's slaying | 4500 block of Benning Road NE (Shrimp Boat)

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 4500 block of Benning Road SE, Washington DC, on Sunday, May 8, 2016. At approximately 4:47 pm, members of the Sixth District responded to a call for the report of a man down. Upon arrival on the scene, members located an adult male, unconscious and breathing, and suffering from apparent head injuries. DC Fire and EMS personnel transported the victim to a local hospital, where he was admitted for treatment.  Further investigation revealed, the victim had been assaulted. On Saturday, May 14, 2016, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. On Monday, May 16, 2016, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner-Maryland conducted an autopsy and determined the cause of death to be complications of head injuries and manner of death is homicide. The decedent has been identified as Willie James Young, 35, of Suitland, MD.

On Monday, May 16, 2016, Darren Jackson, 26, of Southeast, DC, was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder.

There were two other homicides in recent weeks within two blocks of this busy location at the intersection of East Capitol and Benning Roads NE in DC.

May wisdom and peace return to the neighborhood. A mending of hearts and souls.

800 block of 21st Street NE DC | Police tape at the site of Leo Hackett's death

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced an arrest has been made in the fatal shooting that occurred in the 800 block of 21st Street NE, Washington DC, on Saturday, April 30, 2016. At approximately 10:42 am, members of the Fifth District responded to a call for a shooting. Upon arrival on the scene, members located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to an area hospital. All lifesaving efforts failed and the victim succumbed to his injuries.  The decedent has been identified as Leo Hackett, 30, of Northeast, DC. A short time later, Wilbert Whitaker, 67, was arrested.  He was charged with Second Degree Murder while Armed.  

Pain. Sorrow. Rain. Strength. Comfort. Light. Shrine to John Rufus Evans III, Deanwood Metro Station, 4700 block of Minnesota Avenue NE

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced an arrest has been made in the fatal stabbing that occurred in the 4700 block of Minnesota Avenue NE Washington DC, (Deanwood Metro Station) on Monday, April 11, 2016. At approximately 11:04 am, Members of the Sixth District responded to a call for an aggravated assault. Upon arrival, they located a juvenile male suffering from an apparent stab wound.  The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.  All lifesaving efforts proved futile, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced. The victim has been identified as John Rufus Evans III, 15, of Northeast, DC. On Monday, April 11, 2016 at approximately 7:55 pm, members of the Homicide Branch arrested Jovante Hall 18, of Northeast, DC and charged him with Second Degree Murder while Armed.

Another 15-year old, Davonte Washington, was murdered at this same Metro station on March 26, 2016. Maurice Bellamy, 17, was charged in his death. More on this case is on WJLA.

The shrine to Mr. Evans was spotted by Charlotte Yang. Thanks to her for caring, and for careful attention.

Shoes on the wire at the site of Jaquan Lamont Haney's slaying | 4000 block of Wheeler Road SE DC

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in the 4000 block of Wheeler Road SE, Washington DC, on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. At approximately 10:17 pm, members of the Seventh District responded to a call for the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival on the scene, members located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to an area hospital where all lifesaving efforts failed and the victim was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Jaquan Lamont Haney, 22, of Southeast, DC.

I was unable to determine for certain if these sneakers were placed for Mr. Haney, but they are in the vicinity of his recent death.

Peace.

Candles in memory of Don Lavae Willams Jr. in the 2900 Block of Nelson Place SE, Washington DC

This shrine remnant to Don Lavae Williams, Jr. is behind a small commercial area in Southeast DC. Some of his friends informed me that there a larger shrine was evident until recently. It included his photograph and other material placed in memory by friends and family.

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in the 2900 Block of Nelson Place SE, Washington DC, on Sunday, May 8, 2016. At approximately 1:47 am, members of the Sixth District responded to a call for the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival on the scene, members located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to an area hospital where all lifesaving efforts failed and the victim was pronounced dead.  The decedent has been identified as Don Lavae Williams, Jr., 34.   

Memorial for Dimas Fuentes-Lazo, 800 block Kennedy 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 800 block of Kennedy Street, NW, Washington DC, on Saturday, April 23, 2016. At approximately 10:23 pm, members of the Fourth District responded to a call for stabbing. Upon arrival on the scene, members located an adult male suffering from apparent multiple stab wounds. The victim was transported to an area hospital where all lifesaving efforts failed and he was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Dimas Fuentes-Lazo, 38, of Northwest, DC.

This memorial to Mr. Fuentes-Lazo is in the Petworth neighborhood.

Thank you to my friend and colleague, photographer/educator/optimist Kristian Whipple, who lives very near this site and alerted me to its presence.

Peace in the 'hood. Peace to all.