Spoony's shrine

A weathered shrine to "Spoony," near the corner of 2nd and Gallatin Streets NW, Washington, DC.

I could find nothing on this shrine in police or newspaper online records. A neighbor told me that he and Spoony used to play basketball together, and seemed to imply that Spoony had been shot. Another passerby told me that the shrine was to an accident victim, not a shooting.

100 block Emerson Street NW - unknown person

This tattered shrine to an unknown young man is in the 100 block of Emerson St NW,Washington, DC,just off North Capitol Street. The stick or pole that was holding the plush toysup had either broken by the elements, or removed.

I was directed to this site by one of his friends whom I met at another shrine a few blocks away, but I did not get either of their names. I could find no records in the press or police sites online about this shrine.

Shrine to Tyrone McCann - a moment of learning, and perhaps some justice.

This shrine to Tyrone McCann is at the rear of an apartment complex overlooking the Southeast Freeway, in the 1000 block of 12th Street, SE, Washington DC.

As I approached the site, I observed a father softly admonish his toddler son for removing a teddy bear from the shrine to play with. With quiet guidance, he gently helped the child place the toy bear back on the memorial, instructing the boy that one does not remove objects from shrines.

It is the first shrine which has a collection bottle for money offerings, though I have occasionally seen cash left by mourners as a mark of respect and sacrifice at other memorials.

From DC police reports:
Detectives assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced that an arrest has been made in the homicide of Tyrone McCann, who was assaulted in the 1000 block of 12th Street, SE, Washington DC, on July 7, 2009, and was hospitalized and pronounced dead on July 15, 2009 at 9:30 am. Forty-five-year-old Michael Cabbell of Temple Hills, Maryland was arrested without incident at his home address on Monday, July 27, 2009 at 7:45 am by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. He has been charged with Manslaughter in the death of Mr. McCann.

On Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at approximately 2:30 am, members of the First District responded to the rear of the 1000 block of 12th Street, SE for the report of an aggravated assault. Upon arrival on the scene they found 30-year-old Tyrone McCann of the 800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE suffering from injuries to his head and face. Investigation into this incident revealed that just prior to the assault Mr. McCann had been involved in a heated verbal altercation with a male suspect known to him.

Nelson Ryan's sneakers

These shoes, a memorial to Nelson Ryan, are in the 1800 block of M Street, NE, Washington, DC.

From a police report:
At approximately 12:50 am on Saturday, July 25, 2009, officers from the Fifth District responded to the 1800 block of M Street, NE, to investigate the report of an assault in progress. Upon arrival, they discovered an adult male lying on the ground suffering from apparent multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported by personnel from the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department to an area hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

The victim in this case has been identified as 22-year-old Nelson Ryan of the 600 block of Edgewood Street, NE.

Quiet, secluded neighborhood. Another sad testimony to a young man's life swaying in the summer air above the street.

In blessed memory of Anthony Reginald Ford Jr. (Yukon)

These shrine elements are for Anthony Reginald Ford Jr, nicknamed "Yukon" since childhood, who was killed in front of 75 58th St SE, Washington DC at about 1 AM, July 7th, 2009.

Police responded to reports of gunshots and found Anthony Reginald Ford Jr, 26, suffering from multiple gunshots. He had been watching fireworks with friends from the neighborhood, according to his uncle David Ford, whom he lived with. The uncle heard several quick blasts that did not sound like fireworks, and rushed to the window. Frightened neighbors yelled that his nephew had been shot, and that the killer had run off. David Ford began performing CPR. He observed that his nephew was alive when the EMS & police came. He was transferred to Prince Georges Hospital, some distance away, and pronounced dead. The security camera in the neighborhood, installed to deter crime and collect evidence, did not function the night of the murder.

His mother, Ms. Ella Carey, emailed me an invitation to photograph the memorial, which has since been removed out of respect for the property owners where David fell. We later spoke at length by phone. She related words to me that reflected her sorrowful feelings and experience:

She spoke of how when Jesus was being crucified on the cross, an equal, if not greater, agony was borne by his mother Mary, and his beloved friends and followers, who were made helpless and bereft by his pain, and their own loss.

This really struck me. Though I am of a different faith (Jewish) I have a profound respect for sincere Christian traditions and teachings.

Ms. Carey's words resonated with my understanding of the impact violence makes beyond the initial victim, and the terrible earthquakes it sets off. Her son leaves behind a six-year-old son of his own, who now needs to be guided into manhood by others in his family - his granduncle and others, along with the women in the family. From all accounts, young Mr. Anthony Ford was a decent man, minded his own business, was a positive person, an attentive and responsible parent, and gave no trouble to anyone.

Anthony Ford Jr. had his funeral on July 18, 2009. Three hundred plus mourners were in attendance at the family's church.

David Ford says there is now a hole, a silence in his house, in his life.

His mother wrote "I am crying for some help as well as justice.
... A mother that's hurting because of the lost of her innocent son. (YUKON LIVED FOR SOMETHING AND DIED FOR NOTHING)."

UPDATE: Mr Ford's shrine was renewed by his family and friends on the occasion of his birthday.

Shrines to Officer Stephen T. Johns, at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum

Three shrines have been created to honor Stephen T. Johns, the security guard at the United States Holocaust Memorial in Washington DC, who was killed June 10, 2009. According to authorities, white supremacist and anti-semite James W. Von Brunn, 88, entered the Holocaust Museum and immediately shot Mr. Johns. Von Brunn then was himself shot and critically wounded by two other quick-acting guards. Von Brunn maintained a virulent racist website, and had a life-long history of involvement with hate groups. A notebook with anti-semitic writings that were also critical of President Obama was found in his car.

Johns, who is being referred to in the press as a "gentle giant" - he was 6' 6' - leaves an eleven-year old son. Von Brunn's crimes and motives have been universally denounced, including by both his own son & by the President.

Officer Johns is being hailed as a hero. The flags at the museum are being flown at half-mast in his honor.

The Holocaust Museum has established a special fund for the benefit of Officer Johns' family.Make checks payable to "USHMM Officer Johns Family Fund" and mail them to: USHMM, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington DC 20024. You may also contribute by calling toll free 877-91USHMM (877-918-7466). 

These images are my way of saying Kaddish, and of leaving stones. May his soul and his family know blessings and serenity.

Yitgadal v'yitgadash sh'mei rabah.

Kareem Chenier Ware - a thong, Horton the Elephant, flowers, and condoms. RIP.

This unusual shrine to Kareem Chenier Ware is in the 3800 block of Halley Terrace SE, Washington DC.

From news reports:
A Prince Georges County police officer on routine patrol in the 5200 block of Indian Head Highway in Oxon Hill heard gunfire and saw two vehicles fleeing the scene towards Washington.
DC Police found Kareem Chenier Ware, 33, of Waldorf, MD with a gunshot wound to his upper body in a vehicle along the 3800 block of Halley Terrace in DC. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
The other vehicle eluded police, as did the people riding with Ware.
No witnesses have come forward.

It is the first shrine I have observed with condoms and a bra, and only the second with panties.

Makes one wonder.

Richard Robinson- crime scene tape shrine

Crime scene tape fashioned into a memorial in the 4300 block of Wheeler Rd, SE, Washington DC.

Richard B. Robinson, 22 was killed here April 28, 2009

From the DC Police report: Officers assigned to the Department’s 7th District responded to a report of the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival on the scene, officers located an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported by DC Fire & Emergency Medical Services personnel to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

No arrests have been made.

Ground Zero - 3900 S. Capitol St SE

This rebuilt/renewed shrine is at one of the two memorial sites in the 3900 block of S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC.

The marker on the huge toy bear indicates it is for "Big D," possibly. No other information available.

This shrine must have been erected just the day I photographed it - it had been raining hard for the four previous days. It has a magic marker on a string attached so passersby can write their comments. There are also a few small remnants of the previous shrine on the site on the ground- champagne bottle tops, a tiny weathered toy bear, etc.

One of the written mementoes:
"Ground Zero
Life
Love
My Dude"

Seems exactly at the heart of the matter.

Update: May 14, 2009.

This shrine has been moved across the street from the tree where it was previously. I asked the man sitting by it, John, about this. He did not know for sure, but thought he owners of the auto parts store across the street wanted it taken down, so the slain man's friends placed it by the side of this gas station. John thought the killing had something to do with a carjacking.


I have found no infomation on this murder online.

Update January 7, 2010
This shrine has been regularly renewed - it is now on its second site. It seems to be for "Mike-Mike" I have been able to get no other information on its origin.

Aaron Thomas - police tape

I found no shrine at this murder site, only the ragged remnants of police crime scene tape. Aaron Thomas, 19, was fatally shot near the intersection of 7th St. and Mississippi Ave. SE, Washington DC.

According to the Washington Post, quoting from police sources, Mr. Thomas had walked into United Medical Center at about 9:20 PM on September 22nd, with a gunshot wound in his back, He died about 2 hours later after being transferred to the Washington Hospital Center's trauma unit. No motive in the shooting has yet been determined.

I searched for a shrine near his home in the 100 block of Galveston St SE, only a few blocks from where he was killed.

Nothing.

More Washington monuments

Two more home-made memorials to murder victims in our Capitol city.

One, in memory of a young man named Tayon, is in the 1400 block of Girard St NW.

There are five shrines, one on each of the four corners of Sargent and Emerson streets NE, with an additional one (the heart wreath) on a nearby utility pole.

Thanks to Eve Hennessa and videographer Daryl for passing these sites along for me to document.

Tears and teddy-bear beauty. A multitude of issues.

Update: August 2009

I was looking for a possible shrine to Michael Dwayne Parker, 31, who was shot in front of a building in the 1400 block of Girard Street NW on August 2, 2009. I found no shrine to him on this street.

While on this block of Girard Street, I visited the shrine of Tayon Glover (originally erected in summer 2007).
It is being kept current, with these recently placed flowers & notes.

His people must really have cared for him.