Derrick Rawls. Rashid Paul. D’Angelo Thompson.
All three men died in shootings on the streets of Ward Four in the past two weeks and now Councilwoman Muriel Bowser is saying that at least Rawls’ death may have been gang related.
Gang-related homicide in petworth last nite. Need more human svcs help for, unemployed, young BMs with long criminal histories. Colby?
MurielBowser
MurielBowser
According to police reports, Rawls was shot in an alley in 4500 block of 8th Street, N.W.
Fourth District Commander Kimberly Missouri declined to comment on the case today. Councilwoman Muriel Bowser said in a tweet that she had been briefed by Metro PD.
Their strategy is in place and solid to address known gang members and areas asap.
Rawls’ killing was the second deadly shooting in the Petworth and Lamond-Riggs area in two weeks. On Jan. 23 Paul and Thompson were killed in a double homicide two miles away from where Rawls was shot.
A comment posted in a report from Examiner.com indicated that Paul and Thompson may have been killed in gang violence, too.
All this foolishness started more than 10 years ago and to this day, my little brothers are dying for misunderstandings of one another. We’re all from the same area. They kill one of ours, we go back for one of theirs. But for wat? All the little babies my brothers are leaving behind, the hurting families, the grieving friends, its not worth it … Pillz and Shid, love u both, and may u rest in peace…………Cease Fire
Meanwhile, those living in the Fourth District have taken to local listserves asking what more can be done. Lydon Higgins wrote that he knew Rawls, Paul and Thompson. He agreed to post an excerpt of his post on Homicide Watch. Read the full comment, and response, on the Fourth District’s listserve.
It’s really difficult to come up with words for the families. I’ve known all 3 victims for years. Who do I thank for these tragedies??? When does the pain stop? For the families of the fallen, the pain and sorrow never end. If and when the assailants are apprehended,nothing changes. These men are still dead. Their violent and premature deaths will hang over the community forever. It’s like the a shadow that never ever goes away. For me, it’s a never ending nightmare. You see these guys alive for years. Then suddenly, you’re standing around at their funerals…
I suspect there’s an acceptable number of deaths for our community… I thought the MPD was suppose to SERVE and PROTECT. They have failed that job over and over. That’s why people are dying. The killers and robbers know they are shooting fish in a barrel.
