Miguel Gonzales's shrine | 1800 Columbia Road NW DC

A public shrine was erected at the corner of 18th & Columbia Roads NW, Washington DC, by community members in memory of Miguel Gonzales, a long-time resident of the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Mr. Gonzales, who had been unhoused for some time, perished of exposure in the cold weather earlier this year. 

A bank that lays claim to the site removed the original shrine built during a vigil for Mr. Gonzales. Much if it has been re-erected by community members.

According to the Admoplaza blog: 

"On Saturday, April 30, 2022, community members constructed a memorial to Miguel Gonzales with photos, letters, a large framed photo, and narrative describing events leading to Miguel’s death above the public sidewalk where he perished. Over fifty people came to celebrate the life and mourn the death of the lifelong Adams Morgan resident.  “Miguel’s sudden death in the cold has been traumatizing for our community to witness,” said Vikram Surya Chiruvolu... who co-facilitated Saturday’s vigil. He added, “There is substantial research on the positive impact of spontaneous memorials for personal healing of grief, strengthening community by public affirmation of social bonds, and reclamation of goodwill at the space where the incident occurred. The untimely and possibly malicious destruction of such property is a loss in itself, as often communities seek to preserve those materials when appropriate.”

Miguel Gonzales died in the cold snap of March 29, next to the fences erected eight days prior by Truist Bank at Adams Morgan Plaza. In the preceding weeks, Truist bank had confiscated and destroyed unhoused Plaza residents tents and sleeping bags, including Miguel’s. Truist representatives dispersed the unhoused community around the Plaza, in preparation for their encroachment and appropriation of the Plaza on that corner which had been used by the public for over 50 years.

...The Adam Morgan BID declared it wasn’t their cleaning team, and Assistant Branch Manager of the Truist bank across the street stated her staff no longer have anything to do with the fenced-in site. Orlando-based Truist VP David V. Smith has been named on the permits which effected the clearing of the plaza, but he has not responded to inquiries on the matter."

Additional information was reported in the Washington Post.

Thanks to artist Eve Hennessa for her help.

Martinez Johnson | police tape, 1600 block of Maryland 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, June 5, 2022, in the 1600 block of Maryland Avenue NE, Washington, DC. At approximately 9:03 am, members of the Fifth District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, members located an adult male victim suffering from apparent 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 31-year-old Martinez Johnson, of Northeast, DC. 

I am acquainted with part of Mr. Johnson's extended family. His father, also named Martinez Johnson, also lost his life to violence on the streets of DC many years ago. May all in his circle of friends, family, and community know healing and peace. 

Jaquan Bragg memorial | 200 block of Adams 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, July 16, 2022, in the 200 block of Adams Street NE, Washington DC. At approximately 8:55 pm, members of the Fifth District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, the members located three adult male victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victims to area hospitals for treatment. After all life-saving efforts failed, one of the victims was pronounced dead. An additional adult male victim was located at a local hospital. All three additional victims are being treated for non-life threatening injuries. The decedent has been identified as 27 year-old Jaquan Bragg, of Southeast, DC.

This large and thoughtful shrine honors the life of Mr. Bragg. RIP.

Shrine for Ms. Phyllis Williams | 600 block of Kennedy Street, NW DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Friday, April 22, 2022, in the 600 block of Kennedy Street, Northwest, Washington DC. At approximately 6:38 pm, members of the Fourth District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, members located an adult female and two adult males suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the female victim to an area hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. Additionally, the two adult males were transported to area hospitals for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. On Sunday, May 8, 2022, the female victim succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as 64-year-old Phyllis Williams, of Northwest, DC.

There is additional information about this grievous situation in The Washington Post.

May she and the community be at peace.

Site of James Milton Johnson's slaying | 600 block of Addison Road South, Capitol Heights MD

From a PG County Police report: Detectives with the Prince George’s County Homicide Unit are investigating a fatal shooting in Capitol Heights. The victim is 26-year-old James Milton Johnson of Columbia, MD. On July 3, 2022, at approximately 12:10 am, patrol officers were called to the 600 block of Addison Road South, Capitol Heights MD for a report of a shooting. Once on scene, they discovered the victim inside of a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.   

RIP.

Memorial for Eric Marshall | 4600 block of Reed Terrace SE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in the 4600 block of Reed Terrace SE, Washington DC. At approximately 7:26 pm, members of the Sixth District responded to the listed location for the report of the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, members located an unconscious adult male victim, inside of a vehicle, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 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 was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as 34 year-old Eric Marshall, of Capitol Heights, MD.

Additional information and memories of Mr. Marshall can be viewed here: