Norman Williams reflects on Jordan Howe's (his son's) death at a vigil Tuesday
To the young people gathered in a small apartment building parking lot off Alabama Avenue Tuesday night, Norman Williams pleaded: “Starting from now, today, we’re going to work together to do a little better,” he said.
For Williams, the moment was an important one: on the day he marked the first anniversary of his son’s killing he wanted young people to hear his voice.
“My son is gone in a senseless killing; I’m here to save someone’s life,” he said.
Jordan Howe’s shooting death on March 22, 2010 over a missing bracelet sparked a spree of violence that left a total of four people dead and injured six more. The vigil Tuesday where Howe was killed marked the start of a week of remembrance for all the victims: Brishell Jones, 16; DaVaughn Boyd, 18; William Jones III, 19; and Tavon Nelson, 17. They were killed March 30, 2010 following Howe’s funeral.
“I remember every minute of every hour of March thirtieth of last year,” MPD Police Chief Cathy Lanier said Tuesday night. “In twenty-one years of police work in the city, it was the worst thing I’ve ever seen… It’s the worst memory I’ll ever have.”
Six people have been charged with the shooting deaths of Howe, Jones, Boyd, Jones and Nelson. Defendant Nathaniel Simms has pleaded guilty to the charges against him; his case is pending sentencing. Cases against the five others are expected to go to trial in January of next year.
Family and friends of the victims gathered Tuesday evening at the Giant grocery store’s parking lot on Alabama Avenue before walking together to the apartment complex where Howe was killed. Under streetlamps and candlelight they sang and prayed together in memory of those killed and in hope that no more young people would be killed in D.C. streets.
“We don’t want to be here again or have you on a t-shirt or in D.C. jail,” Trayon White told those gathered.
Of those who died, White said: “We owe them something… step up.”
A vigil is planned for March 30 at 6:30 p.m. beginning at Brandywine Street and South Capitol Street Southeast. A youth concert is planned for April 2 at 6 p.m. at Faith Presbyterian Church.
Photo by Dallas Lillich
Watch AP’s video report from last year below.
