Memorial along a trail to Akinyele Warner, Langley Park, Maryland.

From a Prince Georges County Police report: The Prince George’s County Police Department has arrested three suspects in connection with a murder that occurred in Langley Park late Saturday night. The investigation reveals this is a gang-related crime.

Just before 11 pm on Saturday, May 10, 2014, Maryland National Capital Park Police and Prince George’s County Police officers responded to the Northwest Branch Hiker Biker Trail in Langley Park, Maryland, for the report of an unconscious male.  The preliminary investigation reveals the victim, Akinleye Warner, 19, of Langley Park, traveled to the park with three acquaintances. The decedent was with an acquaintance who went to the area to conduct a drug transaction.  During the attempted transaction, Warner was assaulted. He was found on a park trail suffering from multiple stab wounds. The investigation reveals the suspects are gang members who committed the crime in order to gain notoriety within the gang.

Investigators quickly developed leads in the case and have arrested three suspects, all of whom are charged with first degree murder.  They are Nelson Rivera-Anaya, 15, Angel Contreras, 14, and a 13 year old who under state law can’t be charged as an adult.  Rivera-Anaya & Contreras are being held at the Department of Corrections on a no-bond status.  The 13 year old is being held at the Cheltenham Youth Facility. The three suspects attend and/or attended Buck Lodge Middle School in Adelphi.

Throughout this ongoing investigation, the Prince George’s County Police Department has worked closely with PGCPS leaders to ensure the safety of students.  Additional patrol resources have been stationed at the affected schools since the crime occurred. The PGPD has also assigned investigators within the school system to add an additional layer of security. Those investigators will share information with school leadership regarding any possible gang activity.

A large vigil and march was held in honor of and in support of Mr. Warner and his family, who were immigrants from Guyana. There is more information on the vigil in the Washington Post.

Street shrine to unknown person, Elvans Road SE

I found this shrine to unknown victim in the 2400 block of Elvans Road SE, Washington DC, near Stanton Road.

There have been several homicides in this block over the years, and a shrine was built on this site in 2011, but I could find no recent online records of tragedy in the area.

Please notify me if you know anything about this memorial, and I will be glad to update any accurate information.

On Deaf Ears - exhibition at the JCCNV

"On Deaf Ears" is an exhibition at the Bodzin Gallery of the Northern Virginia Jewish Community Center. This exhibit commemorates Yom Ha’Shoah and reflects the theme of public response to injustice today. This year’s JCRC annual Holocaust commemoration is themed “On Deaf Ears: Media Coverage and Public Response in the Holocaust Years.” Artists have been asked to exhibit works that represent contemporary connections to this theme. 

This is the first time my photographs of street memorials to Washington DC-area victims of violence have been exhibited.

I am honored to have my work included alongside my colleagues, fellow social documentary photojournalists, Hector Emanuel and Michelle Frankfurter.

These images show some aspects of the installation. Many thanks to the Jewish Community Relations Council  and Irene Gavin of the JCCNV for their help in hosting the exhibition.

Bottle shrine for Mr. Hubert Hunter, Marvin Gaye Park NE

From a DC police report: On Thursday April 10, 2014, at approximately 6:49 pm, police officers from the Sixth District responded to a call for the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival in the 500 block of Division Avenue NE, Washington DC, , they located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and determined that there were no signs consistent with life. The decedent, identified as Hubert Hunter, 24, was subsequently transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia, where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death.

This bottle memorial is in Marvin Gaye Park, just off Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue. I spoke with some men there who knew the deceased. They were surprised that there were no plush toys or flowers, and speculated that the city would likely soon remove this memorial, as it is in a public park.  

In any case, may Mr. Hunter rest in peace.

There is more and ongoing information on this situation on HomicideWatch.

Sports memorial, 600 block of Audrey Lane, Oxon Hill, MD.

From a Prince George's County (MD) police report: "The Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating a homicide in Oxon Hill. The victim is identified as Vincent Toussaunt Kyler, 35, of Accokeek. On April 2, 2014, at about 5:15 pm, patrol officers were called to the 600 block of Audrey Lane for a shooting.  When they arrived, they found Kyler suffering from apparent gunshot wounds inside a car.  He was pronounced dead on the scene.
On April 4, 2014, The Prince George’s County Police Department arrested a suspect for the murder of Vincent Kyler. The suspect is identified as Odell Quarles III, 24, of Oxon Hill. Detectives believe the motive is drug-related. Quarles faces first degree murder and related charges. He remains in custody at the Department of Corrections."

This memorial, including sports-related plush toys, is in a median strip, not far from the DC/MD border.

Please see the comment below, as to whom this memorial appears to have been built for.

To justice, and to peace...

Night view of a shrine for Kevin Marzell Leonard, 4500 block of East Capitol Street NE

From a DC police report: On Saturday, March 15, 2014, at approximately 6:08 pm, police officers from the Sixth Patrol District were dispatched to the area of East Capitol Street and Benning Road, NE, Washington DC, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds in the 4500 block of East Capitol Street, Northeast. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim,identified as Kevin Marzell Leonard, 20, to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

This shrine of balloons and a rose is at the corner of Benning Road and East Capitol Street, adjacent to the Shrimp Boat, a well-known local landmark. There have been several slayings near this corner in recent times.

This public street memorial was created by a group of friends, community leaders, and family in a candlelight vigil in Mr. Leonard's memory.

There is ongoing information on this case on HomicideWatch.

"Gone to soon" shrine to Jonathon Adams, 4300 block of Halley Terrace SE, DC.

From a DC police report: On Thursday, February 27, 2014, at approximately 5:14 pm, members of the Seventh District responded to a call for the report of a man down in the 4300 block of Halley Terrace SE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located a juvenile male, identified as Jonathon Adams, 17, suffering from an apparent stab wound. DC Fire and EMS arrived on the scene and transported him to a local hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

I found the expressions of this young man's friends and family very moving and powerful.

May they continue to support one another, as a living community.

There is more information about young Mr. Adam's case at HomicideWatch.

Double homicide | Khalid and Emmanuel Bryant, 5000 block of Lee Street NE, DC

From a DC police report: On Friday, February 28, 2014, at approximately 7:45 pm, police officers from the Sixth District responded to a call for a report of a shooting in the 5000 block of Lee Street NE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located two adult males suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The first shooting victim, identified as Khalid Jamal Bryant, 34, exhibited no signs consistent with life and remained on the scene. DC Fire and EMS transported the second shooting victim, identified as Emmanuel Bryant, 26, to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, Maryland, where an autopsy will be performed to ascertain cause and manner of death.

There have been two double homicides in the District in the past couple of weeks.

This shrine of candles, flowers, libations, and teddy bears, was next to a church near the home they were slain in.

Rest in peace, both the dead and the living.

There is more information about them at Homicide Watch.

 

Site/crime scene tape for Marquette Hooks, 1300 block of Alabama Avenue SE, DC

From a DC police report: On Sunday, February 23, 2014, at approximately 9:16 pm, members of the Seventh District responded to a call for the sounds of gunshots in the 1300 block of Alabama Avenue SE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located two adult males suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS  arrived on the scene and transported both victims to a local hospital for treatment. One of the victims, identified as Marquette Hooks, 18, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

This tape marking the site of his death was outside a boarded-up building across from a Metro station.

More information about Mr. Hooks' case can be found at HomicideWatch.

"There are no words" - Street memorial for Ruthanne Lodato. Alexandria, Virginia

From an Alexandria VA police report: On February 6, 2014, at approximately 11:35 a.m., officers responded to the 2400 block of Ridge Road, Alexandria Virginia, for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located two adult female victims inside a residence. The victims were transported to local hospitals. One victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The other victim succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. She had been identified as Ruthanne Lodato, 59, Alexandria resident. Initial investigation indicates the suspect knocked on the door of the residence and shot the two victims when they answered the door. The suspect then fled. He is described as an older white male, balding with gray hair and a full beard. Police continued to search for the suspect. A preliminary search caused the lockdown of several Alexandria City Public schools.

Ms. Lodato was a long-time beloved music teacher in the area. Her students, family, and the community have been shocked and grieved by her loss.

Alexandria Police are investigating the possibility that this homicide may be related to two other unsolved slayings in the city.

There is considerably more information on this sad situation in the Washington Post.


Let there be sung a psalm for peace.

Shrine for Marcus Minor, 1300 block Stevens Road SE, Washington DC. Barry Farms.

From a DC Police report: On Friday, January 24, 2014, at approximately 2:42 pm, members from the Seventh District responded to a call for a report of sounds of gunshots in the 1300 block of Stevens Road SE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located an adult male, identified as Marcus Minor, 21, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS determined that there were no signs consistent with life. 

Many people have lost their lives to violence in the Barry Farms neighborhood. I continue to pray for justice, wisdom, and especially, peace for the community, and healing for the families who have lost loved ones this way.

More on Mr. Minor's case can be followed on HomicideWatch.

V-Neck's Last Order. "Da Hood Out" Misses Your Smile. Street memorial to Vincent Purvis, 600 block Yuma Street SE, Washington DC

From a DC Police report: On Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at approximately 3:29 pm, members from the Seventh District responded to a call for the sounds of gunshots in the 600 block of Yuma Street SE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim, identified as Vincent Purvis, 20, to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

On January 25, 2014, at approximately 7:50 am Robert Osborne, 41, was arrested by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force and charged with Second Degree Murder.

This vibrant shrine is across the street from the Ferrebee-Hope Community Center.

More information on young Mr. Purvis's case can be found on HomicideWatch.