The story of Bill Mitchell’s death on Jan. 19 has been as much about the Truxton Cirle neighborhood as the crime itself. Mitchell was shot while intervening in a dispute between a man and woman on the street, according to reports. Residents have said they were shocked, but not entirely surprised.
The corner of Fl and N. Cap have been a problem as long as I’ve lived here (10 years) if not longer. There are several bus stops and a liquor store on that corner and there have been several failed attempts by BACA (Bates Area Civic Assoc) and other organizations to close up the liquor store and address that corner.
Part of the problem is the concentration of social services in the area.
For residents of Truxton Circle and Bloomingdale, on the edge of Northwest and Northeast D.C., the problems start small: litter, loitering, street lights. They quickly get bigger: theft, robbery, homicide.
Last week’s killing of 33-year-old Bill Mitchell at the intersection of Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street has shaken a community that feels as if they are doing everything they can to stem that trajectory of decline.
“The entire community has been rocked by this,” said Lorna Hooks, executive director of North Capitol Main Street, a redevelopment group for the area. “We have a lot of robberies and a lot of theft. That the crime is becoming more aggressive and more violent, we do not want to see that escalate unchecked.” Read more
Friends and family remembered Bill Mitchell last night. The 33-year-old was killed near Truxton Circle last week. According to reports, he was trying to help a woman in distress.
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. Read more
The killing of a 33-year-old D.C. man has stunned his Northwest neighborhood. D.C. Police say Billy Mitchell was shot and killed as he walked home after working late and attending the theatre.
Bill Mitchell wrote in to Bloomingdale today saying that the victim of last night’s homicide in Truxton Circle is his son, Billy.
My son Billy was shot and killed last night at about 11:00 to 11:30 PM at North Capitol and Florida. I don`t have many details. Please put out a notice on the Bloomingdale list serve and ask for information from any witnesses — who can contact MPD Homicide Detective Milton Norris at 202 - 497 - 4734 (cell).
Homicide Watch D.C. tried to contact Mr. Mitchell but could not find a listed phone number.
Update 5 p.m.: Homicide Watch has a call in to Mr. Mitchell.
On Wednesday, January 19, 2011, at 2311 hours, units from the Fifth District were dispatched to the intersection of North Capitol St and Florida Ave to investigate a report of the sound of gunshots. Prior to their arrival, a unit from the First District was flagged down by a citizen and advised of a shooting victim on the Northwest corner of the intersection of North Capitol St. and Florida Ave. NW . DCFEMS responded to the scene and transported the victim (an adult male) to an area hospital, suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso. The victim later died as a result of the injuries. Violent Crime Branch detectives are investigating the case and ask if anyone has information please contact MPD immediately 202-727-9099.
Homicide Watch is a community-driven reporting project covering every murder in the District of Columbia. Using original reporting, court documents, social media, and the help of victims’ and suspects’ friends, family, neighbors and others, we cover every homicide from crime to conviction. Read more…
