Curtis Mozie aka CWebb - Tale of the Tape | Shrines at the Safe House.

Curtis Mozie is a street videographer in DC who has long documented the impact of violence, particularly homicides, in our community. He has been creating video memorials for the many friends and neighbors he has lost since the early 1980's and is still at it. His modest home is a safe house for youth, and he has worked doing outreach programs for violence reduction. He maintains a moving collection of shrines in his home to those he's known and lost.

His work has been noticed, praised, and supported by the rapper Nas and the NBA star Curtis Webber.

Curtis's books and videos (click here for a powerful example) tell the true tale of life in the streets of DC; honest, raw, unvarnished, filled with his great heart for all that have suffered under teh plague of violence. I urge you to watch this piece; it is one of hundreds he has created.

I am honored to count him as a friend and colleague in the labor of peace. Thank you and godspeed,  Curtis.

Police tape for Antonio Waller | 1200 block of North Capitol Street NW DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, October 2, 2022, in the 1200 block of North Capitol Street NW, Washington DC.

At approximately 11:55 am, members of the First District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, the members located an adult male victim, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and found no signs consistent with life.

The decedent has been identified as 22 year-old Antonio Waller of Northwest, DC.

On the day I documented this site, there were police blocking off the street again for another (non-fatal) daytime shooting that had just occurred immediately across the street on busy New York Avenue.

Peace to all.

In memory of De’Andre Johnson | 1400 block of Ritchie Road, Capitol Heights MD

From a PG County Police report: Detectives Investigating Fatal Shooting at Capitol Heights Convenience Store The Homicide Unit is actively working to determine the circumstances surrounding a fatal shooting Saturday night at a convenience store in Capitol Heights. The deceased victim is 15-year-old De’Andre Johnson of Washington, DC. On September 3, 2022, at approximately 8:00 pm, officers responded to the business in the 1400 block of Ritchie Road, Capitol Heights, Maryland. They located a total of four people with gunshot wounds who were all transported to area hospitals. Johnson died of his injuries a short time later. Another 15-year-old male was shot and is currently in critical condition. Two adults were also shot. One has been treated and released from the hospital. The second adult is in stable condition with what appears to be non-life-threatening injuries. One of the adult victims is a store employee. The preliminary investigation revealed two suspects walked into the convenience store and opened fire before fleeing the scene. At this point in the investigation, this does not appear to be a robbery attempt or a random incident. Investigators are looking into whether any of the individuals in the store were targeted by the shooters.

May this young man's family be spared further grief, and the community know peace.

Robert Stewart-Pixley's street memorial | 2500 block of Iverson Street, Temple Hills MD

From a PG Police report: Detectives with our Homicide Unit are investigating a fatal shooting in Temple Hills Tuesday night. The victim is 34-year-old Robert Stewart-Pixley of Temple Hills. On September 13, 2022, at approximately 8:40 pm, patrol officers were called to the 2500 block of Iverson Street, Temple Hills, Maryland, for a shooting. Once on scene, they discovered Stewart-Pixley unresponsive outside a residence suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene. Detectives are working to identify a suspect(s) and a motive.

I spoke with the neighbor who found the body of the deceased on her sidewalk. She had also recently spoken to the distraught mother of the slain young man, who lived nearby. There was still quite a bit of blood on the sidewalk where Mr. Stewart-Pixley was shot. She was erecting signs, mostly with sayings from the Bible. She said this was a war of the spirit, not of material things, and that people were doing the work of their oppressors by killing one another, essentially doing the devil’s work. She feels strongly that people should exercise self-control and spiritual calmness.

I wish for a healing of all hearts, and an increase in the peace.

Antonio Parker Jr.'s shrine | 6300 block of Seat Pleasant Drive, Seat Pleasant MD

From a PG County Police report: Detectives with our Homicide Unit are investigating a fatal shooting of a juvenile male that occurred Friday evening in Seat Pleasant.  The victim is 16-year-old Antonio Parker, Jr of Seat Pleasant. On August 12, 2022, at approximately 8:45 pm, patrol officers with the Seat Pleasant Police Department and Prince George’s County Police Department were called to the 6300 block of Seat Pleasant Drive, Seat Pleasant, Maryland, for the report of a shooting. Once on scene, officers discovered Parker, Jr unresponsive in a parking lot of a convenience store suffering from a gunshot wound(s) to the body. Parker Jr. was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

This memorial is in a quiet location behind a convenience store.

May there be peace & justice.

Shrine for Rashad Johnson and James Johnson; a double homicide | Unit block of O Street NW DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch seek the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a vehicle in reference to a homicide that occurred on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, in the Unit block of O Street NW, Washington, DC. At approximately 12:48 pm, members of the Third District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, the members located five adult male victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and after finding no signs consistent with life, two of the victims remained on the scene until transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The additional three victims were transported to area hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The decedents have been identified as 43-year-old Rashad Johnson and 53-year-old James Johnson, both of no fixed address.

 Rest in Peace.

Street shrine to "Johnnie" | 700 block of T St. NW DC

I observed this memorial after documenting another site in this same block (the 700 block of T Street, Washington DC).

 I was unable to determine any additional information as to whom it honors. The balloons had a note indicating they were for a person named Johnnie.

Street memorial for Stephon Chew | 100 block of Irvington Street SW DC

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Friday, February 5, 2021, in the 100 block of Irvington Street SW, Washington DC. At approximately 1:46 am, members of the Seventh District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, members located an adult male victim, inside a residence, suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as 28 year-old Stephon Chew, of Southeast, DC.

I was looking for another possible shrine to another person killed in this same block on Aug. 9, 2022. A neighbor said this particular shrine was for a killing that had occurred about 2 years earlier. She said the man killed and honored by the shrine "was a good guy.”’

May all concerned and this neighborhood know real peace.

Shrine in honor of Stephon Jenkins | 700 block of T Street NW DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, September 11, 2022, in the 700 block of T Street NW, Washington DC. At approximately 4:13 am, members of the Third District heard the sounds of gunshots and responded to the 700 block of T Street, Northwest, to investigate.  Upon arrival, the members located an adult male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and after finding no signs consistent with life, the victim remained on the scene until transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The decedent has been identified as 50-year-old Stephon Jenkins, of Northwest, DC.

RIP.

In memory of Terrell Felder "RIP Moopie" | 1000 block of 51st Street NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Monday, September 5, 2022, in the 1000 block of 51st Street NE, Washington DC. At approximately 1:35 pm, members of the Sixth District responded to DC Fire and EMS Engine 27, located in the 4400 block of Minnesota Avenue, Northeast, for the report of a victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, the members located an adult male victim, conscious and breathing. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead. Further investigation revealed the incident occurred in the 1000 block of 51st Street, Northeast. The decedent has been identified as 31-year-old Terrell Felder, of no fixed address. 

Miguel Gonzales's shrine | 1800 Columbia Road NW DC

A public shrine was erected at the corner of 18th & Columbia Roads NW, Washington DC, by community members in memory of Miguel Gonzales, a long-time resident of the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Mr. Gonzales, who had been unhoused for some time, perished of exposure in the cold weather earlier this year. 

A bank that lays claim to the site removed the original shrine built during a vigil for Mr. Gonzales. Much if it has been re-erected by community members.

According to the Admoplaza blog: 

"On Saturday, April 30, 2022, community members constructed a memorial to Miguel Gonzales with photos, letters, a large framed photo, and narrative describing events leading to Miguel’s death above the public sidewalk where he perished. Over fifty people came to celebrate the life and mourn the death of the lifelong Adams Morgan resident.  “Miguel’s sudden death in the cold has been traumatizing for our community to witness,” said Vikram Surya Chiruvolu... who co-facilitated Saturday’s vigil. He added, “There is substantial research on the positive impact of spontaneous memorials for personal healing of grief, strengthening community by public affirmation of social bonds, and reclamation of goodwill at the space where the incident occurred. The untimely and possibly malicious destruction of such property is a loss in itself, as often communities seek to preserve those materials when appropriate.”

Miguel Gonzales died in the cold snap of March 29, next to the fences erected eight days prior by Truist Bank at Adams Morgan Plaza. In the preceding weeks, Truist bank had confiscated and destroyed unhoused Plaza residents tents and sleeping bags, including Miguel’s. Truist representatives dispersed the unhoused community around the Plaza, in preparation for their encroachment and appropriation of the Plaza on that corner which had been used by the public for over 50 years.

...The Adam Morgan BID declared it wasn’t their cleaning team, and Assistant Branch Manager of the Truist bank across the street stated her staff no longer have anything to do with the fenced-in site. Orlando-based Truist VP David V. Smith has been named on the permits which effected the clearing of the plaza, but he has not responded to inquiries on the matter."

Additional information was reported in the Washington Post.

Thanks to artist Eve Hennessa for her help.

Martinez Johnson | police tape, 1600 block of Maryland Avenue NE DC

From a DC Police Report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, June 5, 2022, in the 1600 block of Maryland Avenue NE, Washington, DC. At approximately 9:03 am, members of the Fifth District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, members located an adult male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and found that the victim displayed no signs consistent with life. The decedent has been identified as 31-year-old Martinez Johnson, of Northeast, DC. 

I am acquainted with part of Mr. Johnson's extended family. His father, also named Martinez Johnson, also lost his life to violence on the streets of DC many years ago. May all in his circle of friends, family, and community know healing and peace. 

Jaquan Bragg memorial | 200 block of Adams Street NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Saturday, July 16, 2022, in the 200 block of Adams Street NE, Washington DC. At approximately 8:55 pm, members of the Fifth District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, the members located three adult male victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victims to area hospitals for treatment. After all life-saving efforts failed, one of the victims was pronounced dead. An additional adult male victim was located at a local hospital. All three additional victims are being treated for non-life threatening injuries. The decedent has been identified as 27 year-old Jaquan Bragg, of Southeast, DC.

This large and thoughtful shrine honors the life of Mr. Bragg. RIP.

Shrine for Ms. Phyllis Williams | 600 block of Kennedy 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, April 22, 2022, in the 600 block of Kennedy Street, Northwest, Washington DC. At approximately 6:38 pm, members of the Fourth District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, members located an adult female and two adult males suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the female victim to an area hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. Additionally, the two adult males were transported to area hospitals for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. On Sunday, May 8, 2022, the female victim succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as 64-year-old Phyllis Williams, of Northwest, DC.

There is additional information about this grievous situation in The Washington Post.

May she and the community be at peace.

Site of James Milton Johnson's slaying | 600 block of Addison Road South, Capitol Heights MD

From a PG County Police report: Detectives with the Prince George’s County Homicide Unit are investigating a fatal shooting in Capitol Heights. The victim is 26-year-old James Milton Johnson of Columbia, MD. On July 3, 2022, at approximately 12:10 am, patrol officers were called to the 600 block of Addison Road South, Capitol Heights MD for a report of a shooting. Once on scene, they discovered the victim inside of a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.   

RIP.

Memorial for Eric Marshall | 4600 block of Reed Terrace SE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in the 4600 block of Reed Terrace SE, Washington DC. At approximately 7:26 pm, members of the Sixth District responded to the listed location for the report of the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, members located an unconscious adult male victim, inside of a vehicle, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as 34 year-old Eric Marshall, of Capitol Heights, MD.

Additional information and memories of Mr. Marshall can be viewed here:

For Mr. Dexter Anderson Jr. | memorial, 3200 block of Naylor Road, Temple Hills MD

From a Prince Georges Police report: The Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred early Saturday morning in Temple Hills, Maryland. The victim is 28-year-old Dexter Anderson Jr., of Washington, DC. On May 28, 2022, at approximately 12:00 am, officers responded to the 3200 block of Naylor Road, Temple Hills, for the report of a shooting. The victim was located outside on a sidewalk suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene. 

Wesley Kelley Jr., 39, was arrested in Virginia after a tip to the Prince George’s County Crime Solvers line, authorities said. 

This unusual memorial is just over the DC line in Prince Georges County. I was very moved emotionally by a small plush toy that read "Best Dad in the World." May Mr. Anderson's legacy be one of hope and peace.

Shrine in honor of Ebony Morgan | Unit block of P Street NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, in the Unit block of P Street NE, Washington DC. At approximately 12:53 pm, members of the Fifth District responded to the listed location for the report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, members located an adult female victim, suffering from an apparent stab wound. DC FEMS members transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. On Sunday, May 15, 2022, the victim succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as 42-year-old Ebony Morgan, of Northwest, DC.  

This touching shrine in honor and memory of Ms. Morgan is just off the bustling North Capitol Street corridor. May she rest in peace.