Metro Police are looking for a black male in his early 20’s in connection with the fatal shooting of Bill Mitchell, Jr. at North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue Northwest on January 19.
At a community meeting Tuesday night, officials said according to video surveillance, the man is in his early 20’s, black and about 5‘6 tall. In the video he was wearing “a very distinct looking jacket” with palm trees on the back and “scarface” written in script. Authorities said they believe he is “anchored” to the area and lives, or has connections, nearby.
“We want to talk to this person,” Commander Daniel Hickerson said.
Metro Police are working with the FBI to develop a still image from the video of the man.
Tuesday’s meeting with Councilman Harry Thomas, Police Chief Cathy Lanier, and others from Bloomingdale and nearby communities allowed community members to express frustration with the quality of life in the area where Mitchell was shot— a small park of bricks, benches and a few trees sandwiched in between North Capitol Street, Florida Avenue and Q Street.
Residents said loitering and drugs have plagued that corner, making it a neighborhood menace.
At a vigil in memory of Mitchell held before the meeting, Randolph Street NW resident Nathan Zook called the area a “hostile environment.”
There’s a park up the street that we can’t take our children to because there’s condoms and beer bottles all over. There are so many people even in broad daylight, groups of people blocking the sidewalk, that trying to push a stroller is difficult.
Mitchell’s family, and about 30 friends and neighbors, attended the candlelight vigil, huddling around police and elected officials who spoke of their desire to close the case.
Mitchell’s family has asked that in liu of flowers, donations be made to Horton’s Kids Inc, where Mitchell was a volunteer, or Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
