RIP Rickisha Waller-Henderson | Unit block of 54th Street SE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Saturday, October 23, 2021, in the Unit block of 54th Street SE, Washington DC. At approximately 1:26 am, members of the Sixth District responded to the listed location for the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, members located an unconscious and unresponsive adult female victim, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and found that the victim displayed no signs consistent with life. The decedent has been identified as 38 year-old Rickisha Waller-Henderson, of no fixed address.

May she rest in peace.

To the life of Raychelle Freeman | Memorial, 1100 block of Eastern Avenue NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, December 5, 2021, in the 1100 block of Eastern Avenue NE, Washington, DC. At approximately 2:00 pm, members of the Sixth District responded to the listed location for report of the sound of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located an adult female victim, inside of a vehicle, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 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 24 year-old Raychelle Freeman, of Northeast DC. 

I spoke with Ms. Freeman's mother at this memorial site.  Very sad & touching. She thanked me for what I am doing. She was clearly in a quiet dignified grief. She said her daughter's loss has left her two children motherless. I wish them, and their whole family, every solace and healing, in peace and justice.

In memory of the life of Larelle Washington | 1700 block of Capitol Avenue NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Friday, December 3, 2021, in the 1700 block of Capitol Avenue NE, Washington DC. At approximately 3:42 pm, members of the Fifth District responded to the listed location for the report of the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, members located a juvenile male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital in grave condition. On Monday, December 6, 2021, the victim succumbed to their injuries. The decedent has been identified as 17 year-old Larelle Washington, of Northeast DC.

By all accounts, young Mr. Washington was an outstanding individual, with a bright future of achievement ahead of him. There is a very moving account of his life and tragic death in the Washington Post.

May his memory ever be for a blessing.

In memory and honor of Derico Justice Miles | 1200 block of Mount Olivet Road NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Monday, December 6, 2021, in the 1200 block of Mount Olivet Road NE, Washington, DC.  At approximately 11:25 pm, members of the Fifth District responded to the listed location for report of the sound of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 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 21 year-old Derico Justice Miles, of Southeast, DC.

I spoke with some of Mr. Miles' friends at this shrine site. They spoke eloquently of their hope to honor his life, and the sad impact violence has on both individuals and a community. A candlelight vigil was being planned to memorialize his life, and perhaps create a mural in a nearby location, also.

 

In memory of Deandre Hunter | 3000 block 30th Street SE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, November 28, 2021, in the 3000 block of 30th Street SE, Washington DC. At approximately 6:29 pm, members of the Seventh District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, members located an adult male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as 28 year-old Deandre Hunter, of Southeast DC. 

- Sadly, there are four additional street shrines currently visible in this short block, all for homicide victims. May this community and their loved ones be spared further grief.

Shrine for David Williams | 2000 block of Bruce Place SE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, November 14, 2021, in the 2000 block of Bruce Place SE, Washington DC. At approximately 4:49 pm, members of the Seventh District responded to the 2000 block of Alabama Avenue SE, for the report of the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, members canvassed the area and located two adult male victims in the 2000 block of Bruce Place, Southeast, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victims to area hospitals. After all life-saving efforts failed, one of the victims succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as 52 year-old David Williams, of Southeast DC.

Peace, peace, peace.

RIP Dameon Yates | Street memorial, 1600 block of R Street SE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch announce an arrest has been made in a homicide that occurred on Monday, November 8, 2021, in the 1600 block of R Street SE, Washington DC. At approximately 8:20 pm, members of the Sixth District responded to the listed location for the report of an unconscious person. Upon arrival, members located an adult male victim, unconscious and unresponsive, suffering from apparent lacerations. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and found that the victim displayed no signs consistent with life. The decedent has been identified as 41 year-old Dameon Yates, of Southeast DC. On Tuesday, November 9, 2021, a 16 year-old juvenile male, of Southeast, DC, was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder While Armed (Knife).

This street memorial is just a short distance from Anacostia High School. 

Peace and justice to all concerned.

Memorial for Chanae McLaughlin | Unit block of Florida Avenue NW DC

 

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Friday, November 12, 2021, in the Unit block of Florida Avenue NW, Washington, DC. At approximately 4:44 pm, members of the Third District were flagged down in reference to an assault. Upon arrival, members located an adult female victim suffering from apparent stab wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to local hospital for treatment of their injuries, where despite all life-saving efforts, the victim was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as 35 year-old Chanae McLaughlin, of no fixed address.  

Peaceto her family, and to her community.

Antwonne Turner's shrine | 100 Block of Taussig Place NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Friday, November 5, 2021, in the 100 Block of Taussig Place NE, Washington, DC. At approximately 9:00 pm, members of the Fourth District responded to the listed location for the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, members located an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and found that the victim displayed no signs consistent with life. The victim remained on the scene until transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The decedent has been identified as 32 year-old Antwonne Turner, of Fort Washington, Maryland.