Flowers, candles, and a cross for Lamar Walters | 2400 block of Franklin Street NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Monday, January 6, 2020, in the 2400 block of Franklin Street NE, Washington DC. At approximately 1:36 pm, members of the Fifth District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment of life threatening injuries. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead. Two additional adult male victims were located after they sought treatment at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The decedent has been identified as Lamar Walters, 38, of Northeast DC.

From WTOP: "D.C. police Cmdr. William Fitzgerald said bullets began flying around 1:35 p.m. outside a beer and wine store on the 2400 block of Franklin Avenue NE near Langdon Park Recreation Center. They found a man shot on the curb, who was in grave condition, Fitzgerald said. The victim later died. Police later discovered that two other men showed up at local hospitals, Fitzgerald said during a news conference. The people who congregate at the store where the shooting happened was targeted, but Fitzgerald said police do not yet know if the victims were the intended target. Fitzgerald acknowledged that the store has been a sore spot in the community for a while, calling it a “drain on resources.” He said his officers have made several drug arrests there, set up cameras and monitored it using overtime hours. Fitzgerald added that he hopes to get the store temporarily closed. Police have not yet released the identity of the victims, and they are talking with witnesses to gather suspect information."

There is now a police 'shot-spotter' alert system installed in front of this site.

May there be peace and healing for everyone concerned.

Site of William Howard Green's murder | Saint Barnabas Road and Winston Street, Temple Hills MD

From a Prince George’s County Report: The Prince George’s County Police Department charged a patrol officer in connection with the fatal officer-involved shooting in Temple Hills on Monday night. The involved officer is Corporal Michael Owen, Jr. He is a 10-year veteran assigned to the Bureau of Patrol. He’s charged with fatally shooting William Howard Green, 43,  of Southeast, Washington DC.

On January 27th, 2020, at approximately 7:20 pm, officers were dispatched to the area of St. Barnabas Road and Winston Street, Temple Hills, Maryland,  for the report of a traffic accident. Owen and a second officer were advised by witnesses on scene that Green had struck their vehicle. The officers approached Green who was in his car nearby. The preliminary investigation reveals Green was removed from his car and at the time was believed to be under the influence of a substance. He was handcuffed and placed in the front seat of Owen’s cruiser as they awaited the arrival of a drug recognition expert. As they waited, Owen got into the driver’s seat of his cruiser and was now seated next to Green. A short time later, for reasons that are now at the center of the investigation, Green was shot seven times by the officer’s duty weapon.

Following the shooting, Owen and the second officer removed Green from the cruiser and used their department-issued trauma kits to provide medical aid to Green. He was transported to a hospital where he died a short time later.

Owen is charged with second degree murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, first degree assault and use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence. He was taken into custody late this afternoon.

The PGPD has received several questions about why Owen placed Green in the front seat of the cruiser. Here is the directive our officers follow according to the department’s General Orders - Volume II, Chapter 4: One officer may transport one arrestee, who will occupy the right front seat. For vehicles equipped with transport partitions, arrestees will occupy the right rear seat. Owen’s cruiser did not have a partition.

There is considerably more information about this tragedy in the Washington Post.

Justice, justice shall you pursue. (Deut. 16:18-20)

Shrine to an unknown person | 4000 block of East Capitol Street SE DC

This vibrant street memorial is in the 4000 block of East Capitol Street SE, Washington DC.

There have been a couple of homicides in the general vicinity fairly recently, but none at this location.

The Washington Post reported a fatal accident nearby in April 2019. The victim was not publicly identified.

The shrine appeared on this street quite recently. There was no material on-site to help identify who it was created for. I have no further knowledge of the situation.

John Seegars RIP | 100 block of Atlantic Street SE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Thursday, January 30, 2020, in the 100 block of Atlantic Street SE, Washington DC. At approximately 8:10 pm, members of the Seventh District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male, inside of a residence, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and after displaying no signs consistent with life, the victim, identified as John Seegars, 30, of Southeast DC was pronounced dead. Investigation at the scene revealed that the offense took place inside of the residence.

This yellow police tape was in the alley behind the residence.

RIP.

Street memorial for Dy’Mani Priestley | 1200 block U Street NW DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, January 5, 2020, in the 1200 block of U Street NW, Washington DC. At approximately 2:21 am, members of the Third District responded to the listed location for the report of an aggravated assault. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a stab wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment of life threatening injuries. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim, identified as Dy’Mani Priestley, 22, of Hyattsville, MD, was pronounced dead.

This shrine to Mr. Priestley is in the busy U Street corridor, very near Ben's Chili Bowl.

RIP.

Donelle Hodges | yellow tape, 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Saturday, February 1, 2020, in the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue NE, Washington DC. At approximately 2:39 am, members of the Sixth District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival officers canvassed the area and located an adult male, inside of a vehicle, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim, identified as Donelle Hodges, 24, of Southeast DC was pronounced dead.

There were two other slayings in the last month within one block of the site of Mr. Hodges' demise.
Peace to this neighborhood, and justice for these victims.

Site of the slaying of Andy Bonilla | 2900 Block of Sherman Avenue NW

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, January 26, 2020, in the 2900 Block of Sherman Avenue NW, Washington DC. At approximately 12:56 pm, members of the Third District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a male, suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment of life threatening injuries. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Andy Bonilla, 19, of Northwest DC.

This site is on the patio of a small Vietnamese restaurant.

RIP.

Police tape; Andre Carroll | 1800 block of Corcoran Street NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Thursday, December 26, 2019, in the 1800 block of Corcoran Street NE, Washington DC. At approximately 9:36 pm, members of the Fifth District responded to the listed location for the report of sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located two adult males suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported both victims to area hospitals. One victim was treated for life-threatening injuries. The second victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries. On Friday, December 27, 2019, after all life-saving efforts failed, one victim was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Andre Carroll, 26, of no fixed address.

RIP