Aric Avon Johnson- old bears and a pink spotted panther

This older shrine to Aric Avon Johnson is in the busy intersection of Kenilworth & Eastern Avenes NE, Washington DC.

FROM DC POLICE: January 23, 2007
Homicide at Kenilworth and Eastern Avenues, NE
At approximately 10:45 pm, on Monday, January 22, 2007, Metropolitan Police were called to the intersection of Kenilworth and Eastern Avenues, NE, for the report of a shooting.  Upon arrival ,officers located 26-year-old Aric Avon Johnson, of the 2000 block of D Street, NE, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the body.  He was taken to the Prince George’s Hospital Center and pronounced dead.

The only thing left are his family's memories, and these fading, weathered toys.

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.

Shrine to Marcus Robinson - 3000 block of 14th St NW

Shrine to Marcus Robinson, 20, in the busy 3000 block of 14th St NW Washington DC

Mr. Robinson was shot Friday May 15th about 11 PM. He had lived in the 600 block of Morton St NW

Several people spoke to me regarding this shrine and of Mr Robinson- that he was a good person, a fine homey with a generally kind personality. One woman, resting near the shrine, said seing it "hurt her heart."

Michael Colbert's shrine- Scooby Doo

Shrine to Michael Colbert, in the 4200 block of 4th St SE Washington DC

A young woman I queried said this was a "memorial to someone, and very recent, about two weeks."

Michel Colbert, 32, was found fatally shot in this block about 7:00 AM on Saturday May 16, 2009.
This shrine is within sight of the crime tape left at the scene of the killing of Bradley Cleveland, who was shot on April 13 2009.

Unusual- all Scooby Doo & tape- nothing else.

Quiet and sad...

Shrine to Demetrius Matthews

Shrine to Demetrius Matthews, 20, in the 1900 block of 2nd St NE Washington DC

Mr. Robinson was found dead of gunshot wounds May 21st by police at 3:57 AM. He had lived in the 2000 block of Amherst Rd, Hyattsville MD

Police reported it as part of a robbery

RIP Danny

Grafitti memorial to "Danny", in the 5000 block of Call Place SE Washington DC
- I was looking for a shrine to another murder victim, Marcus Jones, who was killed in the same block on May 26 2009. I did not find a shrine for him, or any information on Danny. The block was going through major renovation and construction when I visited.

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.

For Bradley Cleveland

I found this remnant of police crime tape secured over a high wire in an apartment complex in the 4200 block of 4th Street SE, Washington DC. It is for Bradley Cleveland, 22 years old.

Police responded to a gunshot on the midnight shift, April 13, 2009. They learned on arrival that Mr. Cleveland had been taken to a hospital in a private vehicle, where he died.

I spoke at some length with a resident of the complex. She told me that the security cameras on the buildings don't work, haven't for a long time, and that the crime in the area is frightening. She hoped people would come to understand the troubles good residents of the community must suffer with, and help them in their wishes and efforts to rebuild their safety.

Caution. To the wind.

Shrine for William Allen Carter- Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE

This shrine to William Allen Carter is in the busy intersection of the 4100 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue NE, Washington DC, just beneath a railroad bridge, by the end of an exit ramp from the Anacostia Freeway.

Police responded to a report of a shooting at 3:10 pm on April 10, 2009. Emergency medical personnel took Mr. Carter to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Abdul Muhammad, 37, was arrested and charged with his murder on May 2nd.

Shrine for the Woods-Bilotti family, Middletown, Maryland

Three children and two adults died on April 18, 2009, in what authorities believe is a murder-suicide inside a house in the first block of Washington Street, in Middletown, Maryland.

Members of the comunity built a beautiful large shrine on the house where the killings occurred. Colorful memorial ribbons were tied on poles throughout this otherwise bucolic town just outside of Frederick, Maryland, at the far outer rim of the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Compiled from the Frederick News-Post and the Washington Post:

Christopher A. Wood, 34 is believed to have shot his wife, Francie Bilotti-Wood, 33 and their children. Mrs. Bilotti-Woods, Chandler, 5, Gavin, 4, and Fiona, 2, who were in their pajamas - had each been shot once, in the beds where they were found. Wood's body was on the floor of the couple's bedroom. Authorities said the victims also suffered "severe lacerations and cut wounds." A handgun and shotgun were found in the home.

Mr. Woods was deeply in debt, and it is believed to have been a motivating factor in the slaying.

Authorities said Chris Wood left five suicide notes in the house, one of which suggested that he had psychological problems and was taking medication. In at least one note, Wood apologized for what he did.

The Rev. Kevin Farmer, at nearby Holy Family Church, opened the memorial service by telling more than 400 somber parishioners that he had "no words" to describe the "unspeakable act" that Billotti-Wood, 33, and her three young children suffered at the hands of their husband and father. Deacon George Sisson's homily was largely devoted to the family. "We read about them in other places," he said of such events. "Now it's not other places. It's a couple blocks from this church."

Sheriff's deputies had never before been called to the family's house, & there was no known history of domestic violence.
As details of the couple's history emerged yesterday, a picture formed of a young family brimming with potential. Billotti-Wood's friends described her as having a "servant's heart," a talented, compassionate organizer with a résumé full of social service work and volunteerism.

Mr. Wood, who worked in railroad marketing and sales, seemed on a solid career path when the two married in Florida in 2003.

Some details from a police press conference:
-The two boys were found in their beds
-The mother & young girl were found together in the master bed
-The father was found on the floor at the foot of the master bed
-The father died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound; a shotgun was found close to his body
-The mother and children had all suffered traumatic cuts
-A mixed-breed dog was removed from the house unharmed
- Francie Wood’s father found the bodies this morning, upon visiting the house. He had not heard from the family in days.
-The Wood family had been living at the residence on Washington Street for four months.