RIP Big Mayo - shrine to Charles Mayo, Bennet Place NE DC

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that resulted from a shooting that occurred in the 1900 block of Bennett Place NE, Washington DC, on Thursday, December 10, 2015, at approximately 1:37 pm. Members of the Fifth District responded to a call for a shooting. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment where on Thursday, December 17, 2015, the victim, identified as Charles Mayo, 53, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.  

This somewhat unusual memorial creation to Mr. Mayo is in what had been a reasonably quiet neighborhood in the past. Unfortunately, there have been three homicides within a two block area in the recent months.

Peace and justice needed.

Shrine to Tiff | 5300 block of Dix Street NE

There have been two recent violent shooting deaths in the 5300 block of Dix Street NE, Washington DC. 

I documented this shrine there, on the edge of the Clay Terrace neighborhood. I do not know who it was erected for. The person honored was nicknamed Tiff.

In any case, I wish peace and justice for the families affected, and for the community.

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 5300 block of Dix Street NE, Washington DC, on Thursday, October 29, 2015, at approximately 7:14 am. Members of the Sixth District responded to a call for a shooting. Upon their arrival to the scene, they found an unconscious adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim, identified as Leon Reid Jr., 35, was transported to a local hospital where all lifesaving efforts failed and he was pronounced.

From a DC police report: The Metropolitan Police Department has identified the decedent in the fatal police-involved shooting that took place in the 5300 block of Dix Street NE, Washington DC, on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at approximately 1:52 pm as Darick Napper, 34.

I revisited this site in June 2017, looking for a possible shrine for a more recent homicide victim in this block. There was no new shrine, but these two shrines were still evident.

Reward poster | site of Percy Williams slaying - 1900 block of Capitol Avenue NE

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 1900 block of Capitol Avenue NE, Washington DC, on Monday October 19, 2015, at approximately 2:06 am. Members of the Fifth District responded to a call for sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, they found an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injury and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Percy Williams, 20.

This neighborhood is challenged in many ways. Peace and hope are sorely needed.

"I Love You Daddy" - memorial for Norman Joaquin in the 1900 block of Q Street SE

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that took place in the 1900 block of Q Street SE, Washington DC, on Wednesday, October 21, 2015, at approximately 9:32 pm. Members of the Seventh District responded to the area of Minnesota Avenue and Q Street SE, Washington DC, for a reported shooting. An adult male was located suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and showing no signs consistent with life. The decedent remained on the scene and was later transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The decedent has been identified as Norman Joaquin, 42.

Reading the note from his child on this shrine made me cry.

A prayer is needed for peace, strength, justice, and healing.

Rest in Peace Flavor | shrine for Nathaniel Moody, 2200 block of G Street NE

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 2200 block of G Street NE, Washington DC, on Thursday, October 22, 2015, at approximately 4:33 pm. Members of the Fifth District responded to a call for a stabbing. Upon arrival on the scene, members located the victim suffering from stab wounds. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to an area hospital, where the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Nathaniel Moody, 51.

Peace to his family.

Murder graffiti | rear of 600 Audrey Lane, Oxon Hill MD

So far as I know this rough graffiti tag marks no specific homicide. 

I was looking for a potential shrine in this block to Keyshaun Mason, 14, who was murdered nearby on October 19, 2015.

The Prince George’s County Police Department arrested Sean Crawford, 48, of the 600 block of Audrey Lane in Oxon Hill, Maryland, for the stabbing fatality, and for the attempted murder of a second victim, 18, who survived.

A sad situation. 

In memory of Muhammad Washington | shrines in the 4200 block of Edson Street NE

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 600 block of 42nd Street NE, Washington DC, on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, at approximately 11:42 am. Members of the Sixth District were directed to an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to an area hospital, where the victim succumbed to his injury and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Muhammad Washington, 20.

These two shrines were erected a block away from the address reported for the shooting. Both are in the 4200 block of Edson Street NE.

Police crime scene tape at the site of Marcus Manor's slaying | 2900 block Sherman Avenue NW

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced an arrest has been made in the homicide which occurred in the 2900 block of Sherman Avenue NW, Washington DC, on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at approximately 11:10 am. Members of the Third District responded to a call for the sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, they located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim, identified as Marcus Manor, 38, succumbed to his injuries on scene and was pronounced dead. On Monday, October 26, 2015, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Kevin Chase, 28, of Northwest, DC. He was charged with First Degree Murder While Armed. 

Street shrine for Kenneth Eugene Cosby | 1400 block of V Street SE

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 1400 block of V Street SE, Washington DC, on Friday, October 30, 2015 at approximately 12:58 am.                                            

Members of the Seventh District were patrolling in the area, when they heard gunshots and responded to the scene. Upon their arrival, they found an adult male unconscious and unresponsive, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim, identified as Kenneth Eugene Cosby, 36, was transported to a local hospital where all lifesaving efforts failed and he was pronounced.

Much peace and healing needed.

Memorial for Frederick Etheridge, III | 6000 block of Eads Street NE

From a DC police report: On Monday, November 16, 2015, at approximately 3:48 pm, members of the Sixth District responded to a call for a shooting in the 6000 block of Eads Street NE, Washington DC. Upon arrival, the victim was found suffering from a gunshot wound. DCFEMS transported the victim, identified as Frederick Etheridge, III, 28, to a local hospital where all lifesaving efforts proved to be futile. On Tuesday, November 17, 2015, detectives from the Homicide Branch arrested Sharay Brittney Guy, 24, and charged her with Murder Two while Armed. 

Peace.

Crime scene tape: Eric Jones | 500 block of Morse Street NE

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that took place in the 500 block of Morse Street NE, Washington DC,  on Thursday, October 22, 2015, at approximately 1:10 am. Members of the Fifth District responded to the report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, they located an adult male within the block suffering from stab wounds, who was unconscious and unresponsive. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to area hospital. The victim, identified as Eric Jones, 19, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. 

This homicide occurred in the busy wholesale trade area off Florida Avenue, near Union Market.

Memory made flesh | RIP tattoo

I recently photographed Ms. Sabrina Moore, of Southeast Washington DC. She lost a relative, Dee, to homicide when she was a young girl.

She has a tattoo to him inked into her arm to remember and to honor.

Flowers for Uyer Bernard Hooper | street memorial in the 6400 block of 7th Street NW, DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 6400 block of 7th Street NW, Washington DC, on Sunday, September 6, 2015, at approximately 3:22 am. Members of the Fourth District responded for the report of a shooting and upon arrival, they located one adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim, Uyer Barnard Hooper, 55, to an area hospital, where lifesaving efforts failed and he was pronounced dead. A second victim, an adult male, suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound and was driven to an area hospital in a privately owned vehicle.

Shortly after the shooting on Sunday, September 6, 2015 at approximately 9:00 am, a suspect was developed and Dejuan Etheredge, 27, was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder While Armed.

Let us all say a prayer for justice and peace, and continue work to heal our wounded communities.

Shrine in the 1100 block of Stevens Road SE

This shrine is in the Barry Farms area of Southeast Washington DC.  As there have been several recent homicides in the complex this summer, and there was no signage, I was unable to determine for certain in whose memory it is erected. This shrine is in the rear of the 1100 block Stevens Rd SE, Washington DC.

It is likely for either Ernest Massenberg-Bey, Jr, who was slain in the adjacent block on September 28, 2015, or for Antonio Dean, who was murdered in another close-by block of Stevens Road on August 22, 2015.

In any case, may they both rest in peace. And peace to all in this embattled neighborhood.

From a DC police report: Members of the Seventh District responded to investigate the sounds of gunshots in the 1100 block of Eaton Road SE, Washington DC, on Monday, September 28, 2015 at approximately 7:34 pm. They located two adult male victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds at the location. DC Fire and EMS transported both victims to area hospitals. One was admitted in critical condition while the other victim, identified as Ernest Massenberg-Bey, Jr., 21, after life-saving efforts failed, was pronounced dead.

From a DC police report: On Saturday, August 22, 2015, at approximately 2:51 am, Mr. Antonio Dean was shot and killed in the 1300 block of Stevens Road SE, Washington DC.

Mr Dean's mother has confirmed that this memorial is to her son. RIP.

This shrine was still standing and being maintained on June 25, 2018.

"I Love You My Homie" - In memory of Mr. Marcellus Green; adjacent to the 3200 block of 28th Street SE, Washington, DC

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 3200 block of 28th Street SE, Washington, DC, on Saturday, September 19, 2015, at approximately 1:07 am. Members of the Seventh District heard sounds of gunshots in the area, and while canvassing located an adult male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.  DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to an area hospital, where lifesaving efforts failed and he was pronounced dead.

The victim has been identified as Mr. Marcellus Green, 39, of Southeast DC.

On Saturday, September 19, 2015, at approximately 1:30 am, Steven Pugh, 22,  and Maricco Knight, 22,  were arrested following a vehicle pursuit and charged with First Degree Murder While Armed in the shooting death of Marcellus Green.


Peace and justice are needed for all concerned.

Police tape at the site of a double homicide. Ernest Lott, and Garland Johnson | 6800 block of Central Avenue of Capitol Heights, Maryland

From a police report: The Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating a double homicide in Capitol Heights, Maryland. Preliminarily, detectives do not believe this was a random act. The victims are 37-year-old Ernest Lott, and Garland Johnson, 43.  On September 30, 2015, at about 7:45 pm, patrol officers were called to the 6800 block of Central Avenue for the report of a shooting. When they arrived, they found the two victims outside of an apartment building suffering from gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead on the scene.

This yellow police crime tape is all that remained in public as a reminder of this sad occurrence.

Memorial to Christopher Bess / 800 block of Southern Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD

From a Prince George's County Police report: The Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating a homicide in Oxon Hill. The victim is Christopher Bess, 28, of no fixed address. Preliminarily, detectives do not believe this was a random act. On September 13, 2015, at about 6:00 pm, patrol officers were called to the 800 block of Southern Avenue for the report of a shooting. When they arrived, they found Bess outside suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead a short time later at a hospital.

I found this memorial in the parking lot of a small shopping center, which is quite unusual.

Mr. Bess's nickname was "Gunnah," according to materials placed by his loved ones.

The site is immediately adjacent to the DC/MD line.

Shrine - 1600 Block W Street Southeast

I encountered this older shrine while on assignment for Enterprise Community Partners. As there have been several homicides in this block over the years, I can make no certain identification as to whom it memorializes.

I believe the shrine is likely for Durand Lucas, who lost his life here in 2010.

From a DC police report: On Saturday, June 5, 2010, at approximately 2:57 am, units from the Seventh District were dispatched to the 1600 block of W Street SE, Washington DC, to investigate the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an unconscious subject who was suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS responded and determined the victim, identified as Durand Lucas, 17, had no signs of life. The victim was then transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where he was pronounced dead.

May he rest in peace. 

In July 2014, Joshua Andrews was sentenced to over 41 years in prison for the murder of Mr. Lucas. See HomicideWatch for more information on this case.

 
And a wish for peace in the neighborhood.