Darnell Mack's memorial | 500 block of Quarles Street NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Saturday, October 10, 2020, in the 4500 block of Quarles Street NE, Washington DC. At approximately 2:15 pm, members of the Sixth District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. While investigating, MPD was notified that an adult male victim was taken by private vehicle to a local hospital suffering from a gunshot wound. After all lifesaving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Darnell Mack, 25, of Northeast, DC. 

There were three young women grieving at the site while I was documenting this memorial. The pain expressed in their faces was heartbreaking.

Peace peace peace. To all.

Honor on the street to Demetri Harvin | 1100 block of 1st Street NW DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Monday, October 5, 2020, in 1100 block of 1st Street NW, Washington DC. At approximately 2:33 pm, members of the First District responded to the listed location after hearing the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Demetri Harvin, 31, of Northwest DC. 

This memorial to Mr. Marvin is on the edge of the rapidly-changing Sursum Corda community.

Candles for Edward Johnson | 600 block of N Street NW DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, in the 600 block of N Street NW, Washington DC. At approximately 9:24 pm, members of the Third District heard the sounds of gunshots and responded to the listed location. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Edward Johnson, 31, of No Fixed Address. 

RIP

Street shrine for Erik Butler | 1100 block of Barnaby Terrace SE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Friday, August 28, 2020, in the 1100 block of Barnaby Terrace SE, Washington DC. At approximately 8:47 am, members of the Seventh District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Erik Butler, 28, of Southeast DC. 

I spoke with two young men at this site. They expressed care for their neighbor, and hope the ongoing wave of violence would end.

Balloons at the site of Marcos Brooks' passing | 2300 block of Ainger Place SE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Friday, September 18, 2020, in the 2300 block of Ainger Place SE, Washington DC. At approximately 9:00 pm, members of the Seventh District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male, unconscious and unresponsive, suffering from gunshot wounds. Upon canvassing the area, officers located an adult female suffering from a graze wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and determined that the adult male victim displayed no signs consistent with life. The adult female victim was treated on scene for non-life threatening injuries. The decedent has been identified as Marcos Brooks, 56, of Beltsville, MD. 

I do not know for certain if this collection of balloons is meant as a memorial for Mr. Brooks. I documented it in the  Woodland Terrace community, in the block where he was slain. 

RIP

Police tape at the site of a double homicide / Marcus Nelson, and Simmeon Williams | 1700 block of Irving Street NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Saturday, October 10, 2020, in the 1700 block of Irving Street NE, Washington DC. At approximately 2:05 pm, members of the Fifth District responded to the listed location for the report of a burglary in progress and the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, members located two adult males suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and found that both victims displayed no signs consistent with life. The decedents have been identified as Marcus Nelson, 59, and Simmeon Williams, 39, both of Northeast DC.  

This sad situation occurred in the generally peaceful Brookland neighborhood. May peace return.

Shrine for Michael Bright | 1100 block of 45th Street NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, in the 1100 block of 45th Street NE, Washington DC. At approximately 9:08 pm, members of the Sixth District responded to the listed location for the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital where after all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Michael Bright, 30 of Northeast DC. 

This shrine to Mr. Bright was erected on Lee Street NE, one half block off 45th Street.

RIP.

Stephen Magruder /Two shrines | 700 block of 51st Street NE DC

From a DC Police report:  Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Friday, September 11, 2020, in the 700 block of 51st Street NE, Washington DC. At approximately 12:43 am, members of the Sixth District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male, inside a residence, suffering from a gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and determined that the victim displayed no signs consistent with life. The decedent has been identified as Stephen Magruder, 49, of Northeast DC. 

There are two shrines about 75 feet apart in this small dead-end street. As there have been other slayings in this block, I am uncertain which one honors Mr. Magruder.

Shrine to Bobby Plummer | 400 block of Orange Street SE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Monday, October 5, 2020, in the 400 block of Orange Street SE, Washington DC. At approximately 8:30 pm, members of the Seventh District responded to the listed location for the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located four victims suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported an adult male victim to a local hospital for treatment of a life threatening gunshot wound. Additionally, another adult male and two adult female victims were also transported to local hospitals for treatment of non-life threatening gunshot wounds. On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, the first male victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Bobby Plummer, 42, of no fixed address. 

Street memorial for Anfernee Vernon Walker | 3900 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SW DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Monday, July 8, 2019, in the 3900 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SW, Washington DC. At approximately 12:02 am, members of the Seventh District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, members located three victims suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victims to local hospitals for treatment. A short time later, members were notified of a fourth victim who sought treatment at an area hospital for a non-life threatening gunshot wound. After all lifesaving efforts failed, one of the transported victims was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Anfernee Vernon Walker, 22, of Southeast, DC.

From Washington City Paper: 

"Anfernee Vernon Walker was Nicole Harper’s second child. “When he was small he was so lovable,” she says. “People loved him. They asked me, could they have him?” Her happy baby was “always smiling, always smiling. It was never a dull moment with Anfernee, never.” As an adult, she says, “He had a good heart. And he helped anybody out that he could. He was a family person, he loved his family. He loved his kids.”

He had two little ones, and he had just moved in with their mother, his partner. “They had big plans together,” says his mom. He was working toward getting a second job. “He tried not to let too much stuff bother him,” says Nicole. “But I knew when stuff was bothering him, like when we lost my mom. That took a toll on him. When my 17-year-old was shot, that took a toll on him, too.”

Anfernee’s father named him for a basketball player, and he grew up loving to play basketball and football too. He had the nickname Smoke. “Everybody loved Smoke,” says Nicole. “He was a kindhearted person. If he had it, you had it.”