Hearts and memories: Jayda Medrano-Moore's shrines | 9800 block of Palamar Drive, Lanham MD

From a Prince George's Police report: The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit arrested a 17-year-old male from Glenarden for the murder of a DuVal High School student in Lanham, Maryland. The suspect is charged as an adult for fatally shooting 16-year-old Jayda Medrano-Moore of Greenbelt, Maryland. On September 11, 2023, at approximately 3:45 pm, officers responded to calls for a shooting in the 9800 block of Palamar Drive. The victim was located outside suffering from a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased a short time later at a hospital. Through various investigative techniques, as well as information provided anonymously to Prince George’s County Crime Solvers, Homicide Unit detectives identified and arrested the juvenile suspect. The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was walking on Palamar Drive after leaving school when a fight ensued between two groups who were involved in an on-going dispute. During the fight, the suspect produced a gun. Detectives believe the victim attempted to intervene when she was shot. The juvenile suspect is charged with first and second degree murder, first and second degree assault and a firearms charge. He is in the custody of the Department of Corrections on a no-bond status. 

M. Medrano-Moore was a promising young athlete, whose life was cut short. She was honored and loved. Her school has put up hearts around its campus perimeter in her memory, in addition to this shrine created at the site of her passing. 

May her memory be for a blessing, her family and community be spared further grief, and justice be served.

There is more on this situation at WUSA-9.

Shrine for Richard Ruffin III / 100 block of Farragut 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, September 1, 2023, in the 100 block of Farragut Street NW, Washington DC. At approximately 11:09 p.m., members of the Fourth District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male shooting victim. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and found no signs consistent with life. The decedent has been identified as 43-year-old Richard Ruffin, III, of Silver Spring, MD.

This is the second memorial to a homicide victim in this block in the past few months. 

According to a concerned neighbor who I spoke with, disputes in this block are often over relationships. Unfortunately, some have turned deadly. 

May there be peace and justice for this community, and rest for Mr Ruffin's soul.

Descanso in Paz. Shrine for Jorge Chavarria Rodíguez | 5100 block of Columbia Pike, Arlington VA

This memorial to young Mr. Jorge Chavarria Rodíguez was created by friends and family. It honors his life and legacy. According to police and news reports, this well-liked Wakefield High School student passed away from a fatal opiod overdose.

There is considerable material on this situation on ARLNow, WUSA-9, and on Legacy.com

The NAACP and others are calling for additional counseling and safety resources for the community's youth. 

May his family and friends be spared any additional grief.

Descanso en Paz.

Streetside memorial | 1300 block of 7th Street NW DC | Cle’shai Perry and Mikeya Ferguson

This unusual and touching memorial and police tape is in the 1300 block of 7th Street NW.

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Friday, September 1, 2023, in the 1300 block of 7th Street, Northwest. At approximately 11:56 p.m., members of the Third District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located three shooting victims, two adult females and one juvenile female. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victims to local hospitals for treatment. After all life-saving efforts failed, the two adult female victims were pronounced dead. The juvenile female victim is in critical, but stable condition. The decedents have been identified as 19-year-old Mikeya Ferguson, of Southeast, DC, and 18-year-old Cle’shai Perry, of Northwest, DC.  

Peace, honor, memory.

Shrine in honor of Brandon Gant | 18th Street and Minnesota Avenue SE DC

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at the intersection of 18th Street and Minnesota Avenue, Southeast. At approximately 3:29 a.m., members of the Sixth District responded to the listed location for report of sounds of gunshots and a vehicle collision. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male shooting victim inside of a vehicle.  DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital, where he was admitted with life-threatening injuries.  On Friday, September 8, 2023, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as 23-year-old Brandon Gant of Southeast, DC.

Rest In Peace.

Ghostbike for Dzhoy Zuckerman | 6100 block of 3rd Street NW DC

This moving and unusual memorial is for Dzhoy Zuckerman.

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in the 6100 block of 3rd Street NW. At approximately 12:08 am, Fourth District officers responded to the listed location for the report of a man down. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male shooting victim in front of the location. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene found no signs consistent with life. The decedent has been identified as 27-year-old Dzhoy Zuckerman, of Northwest, DC. 

Mr. Zuckerman was beloved by many, especially in the DC area cycling community. A memorial ride was created in his honor and memory, as well as this ghostbike memorial. There is considerably more information about this tragedy in the Washington Post. 

"Life is Precious, Life is free, Let us live in harmony" - Shrine In honor of Vincent Harvey | 900 block of Division Avenue NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Friday, August 4, 2023, in the 900 block of Division Avenue NE, Washington, DC. At approximately 6:02 pm, Sixth District officers responded to the listed location for report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male shooting victim. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital, where despite all lifesaving efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries.The decedent has been identified as 31-year-old Vincent Harvey of Temple Hills, MD.  

Sadly, there have been numerous street shrines in this location over the years. 

Thous Shalt Not Kill.

There was a small container with index cards, clothespins, and a marker at the site for people to leave their thoughts, grief, hope, and prayers.

May there be a healing, and peace.

Red balloons and white flowers in honor of Terence Akindo | 2300 block of 13th Place NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch announce an arrest has been made in reference to a homicide that occurred on Sunday, July 30, 2023, in the 2300 block of 13th Place NE, Washington DC.  At approximately 4:48 pm, Fifth District officers responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as 24-year-old Terence Akindo, of Upper Marlboro, MD. 

On Monday, July 31, 2023, 37-year-old Anthony Green, of Northeast, DC, was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder while Armed.  

RIP - and true justice.

Street shrine for Russell Wiseman | 1800 block of West Virginia Avenue NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Monday, July 31, 2023, in the 1800 block of West Virginia Avenue NE, Washington DC. At approximately 12:29 pm, Fifth District officers responded to the listed location for the report of the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male shooting victim. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and found no signs consistent with life. The decedent has been identified as 44-year-old Russell Wiseman, of Northeast, DC.  

There were several of his friends and neighbors sitting and conversing near this shrine; folks who cared about him and his life.

RIP.

RIP Fats | Georgia Avenue NW DC

I observed this unusual truck memorial to "Fats" while traveling on Georgia Avenue NW in DC, just north of Howard University.

Somebody clearly cared about this person. 

I have no further information.

Street memorial for Richard Silver | 2300 block of Second Street NE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, in the 2300 block of Second Street NE, Washington DC. At approximately 7:35 pm, Fifth District officers responded to the listed location for the sound of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male shooting victim. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital, where despite all lifesaving efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries. The decedent has been identified as 40-year-old Richard Silver of Northeast, DC.

May he have peace and justice.

Shrine at the site of a double murder. In memory of Luke Whitaker and Zion Hollingsworth-Hayes | 1400 block of Girard Street NW DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Saturday, July 22, 2023, in the 1400 block of Girard Street NW, Washington DC. At approximately 9:53 pm, Third District officers responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male shooting victim at the listed location. Shortly after, a second shooting victim was located in the1400 block of Fairmont Street, Northwest. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and found no signs consistent with life. Decedent #1 has been identified as 29-year-old Luke Whitaker, of Northwest, DC. Decedent #2 has been identified as 19-year-old Zion Hollingsworth-Hayes, of Silver Spring, MD. 

I spoke at some length with a woman from the neighborhood who heard the arguments and gunshots and saw her friend lying dead in the street covered with a sheet. She was very sad and upset over the loss. 

May she and the entire community be comforted and be spared further grief.

In memory of Donald B. Childs | 100 block of Farragut 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, July 30, 2023, in the 100 block of Farragut Street NW, Washington DC. At approximately 2:43 pm, Fourth District officers responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male shooting victim. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital where despite all lifesaving efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries  The decedent has been identified as 46-year-old Donald B. Childs, of Northwest, DC. 

RIP.

In memory of Cyhneil Smith | 300 block of 37th Street SE DC

This touching street memorial is in a neighborhood that has seen many tragedies. Blessings on the soul of this young woman.

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Friday, October 16, 2020, in the 300 block of 37th Street, Southeast. At approximately 3:19 am, members of the Sixth District responded to the listed location for the the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, members located an adult female, inside of a vehicle, suffering from multiple 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 23 year-old Cyhneil Smith of Southeast, DC.

RIP.

Police tape at the site of Derek Hamilton's slaying | 3900 block of 4th Street SE DC

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Arson Task Force, which includes Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are investigating a homicide that occurred on Monday, May 29, 2023, in the 3900 block of 4th Street SE, Washington DC. At approximately 6:18 pm, Seventh District officers responded to the listed location for the report of an assault with a person on fire. Upon arrival officers, located an adult male and female victim suffering from thermal injuries which were sustained while they were inside of a vehicle. The adult male victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. The adult female victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Additionally, there were two juveniles that sustained no injuries. The detectives’ investigation revealed the suspect approached the parked and occupied vehicle, doused it with a flammable liquid and then set it on fire. The suspect was apprehended on the scene by responding officers. On Thursday, June 1, 2023, the adult male victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death was complications from thermal injuries and the manner was ruled a homicide. The decedent has been identified as 64-year-old Derek Hamilton, of Southeast, DC.

On Thursday, May 29, 2023, [a] 49-year-old female, of Southeast, DC, was arrested and charged with Assault with Intent to Kill. The detectives’ investigation revealed that this offense was the result of a dispute and the victims and suspect are known to each other.

Prayers and sustained work needed for peace and justice

Site of the passing of Jaylin Osborne | 2600 block of Stanton Road SE DC

 

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in the 2600 block of Stanton Road SE, Washington DC.At approximately 10:30 pm, Seventh District officers responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a Juvenile male shooting victim. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital where despite all lifesaving efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries. The decedent has been identified as 15-year-old Jaylin Osborne, of Southeast, DC.  

Another young one tragically cut down. 

May his family and loved ones be spared further grief.

Shrine at a Metro Station | 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue NE DC

I believe that this memorial is for Mr. Keshon Cornish. 

May he know eternal peace.

From a DC Police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in reference to a homicide that occurred on Thursday, January 19, 2023, in the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue NE, Washington DC. At approximately 5:42 pm, members of the Sixth 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 23-year-old Keshon Cornish, of Lanham, MD.