Hearts and memories: Jayda Medrano-Moore's shrines | 9800 block of Palamar Drive, Lanham MD

From a Prince George's Police report: The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit arrested a 17-year-old male from Glenarden for the murder of a DuVal High School student in Lanham, Maryland. The suspect is charged as an adult for fatally shooting 16-year-old Jayda Medrano-Moore of Greenbelt, Maryland. On September 11, 2023, at approximately 3:45 pm, officers responded to calls for a shooting in the 9800 block of Palamar Drive. The victim was located outside suffering from a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased a short time later at a hospital. Through various investigative techniques, as well as information provided anonymously to Prince George’s County Crime Solvers, Homicide Unit detectives identified and arrested the juvenile suspect. The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was walking on Palamar Drive after leaving school when a fight ensued between two groups who were involved in an on-going dispute. During the fight, the suspect produced a gun. Detectives believe the victim attempted to intervene when she was shot. The juvenile suspect is charged with first and second degree murder, first and second degree assault and a firearms charge. He is in the custody of the Department of Corrections on a no-bond status. 

M. Medrano-Moore was a promising young athlete, whose life was cut short. She was honored and loved. Her school has put up hearts around its campus perimeter in her memory, in addition to this shrine created at the site of her passing. 

May her memory be for a blessing, her family and community be spared further grief, and justice be served.

There is more on this situation at WUSA-9.

Shrine for Richard Ruffin III / 100 block of Farragut 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, September 1, 2023, in the 100 block of Farragut Street NW, Washington DC. At approximately 11:09 p.m., members of the Fourth District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male shooting victim. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and found no signs consistent with life. The decedent has been identified as 43-year-old Richard Ruffin, III, of Silver Spring, MD.

This is the second memorial to a homicide victim in this block in the past few months. 

According to a concerned neighbor who I spoke with, disputes in this block are often over relationships. Unfortunately, some have turned deadly. 

May there be peace and justice for this community, and rest for Mr Ruffin's soul.

Descanso in Paz. Shrine for Jorge Chavarria Rodíguez | 5100 block of Columbia Pike, Arlington VA

This memorial to young Mr. Jorge Chavarria Rodíguez was created by friends and family. It honors his life and legacy. According to police and news reports, this well-liked Wakefield High School student passed away from a fatal opiod overdose.

There is considerable material on this situation on ARLNow, WUSA-9, and on Legacy.com

The NAACP and others are calling for additional counseling and safety resources for the community's youth. 

May his family and friends be spared any additional grief.

Descanso en Paz.

Streetside memorial | 1300 block of 7th Street NW DC | Cle’shai Perry and Mikeya Ferguson

This unusual and touching memorial and police tape is in the 1300 block of 7th Street NW.

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Friday, September 1, 2023, in the 1300 block of 7th Street, Northwest. At approximately 11:56 p.m., members of the Third District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located three shooting victims, two adult females and one juvenile female. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victims to local hospitals for treatment. After all life-saving efforts failed, the two adult female victims were pronounced dead. The juvenile female victim is in critical, but stable condition. The decedents have been identified as 19-year-old Mikeya Ferguson, of Southeast, DC, and 18-year-old Cle’shai Perry, of Northwest, DC.  

Peace, honor, memory.

Shrine in honor of Brandon Gant | 18th Street and Minnesota Avenue SE DC

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at the intersection of 18th Street and Minnesota Avenue, Southeast. At approximately 3:29 a.m., members of the Sixth District responded to the listed location for report of sounds of gunshots and a vehicle collision. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male shooting victim inside of a vehicle.  DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital, where he was admitted with life-threatening injuries.  On Friday, September 8, 2023, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as 23-year-old Brandon Gant of Southeast, DC.

Rest In Peace.