Matthew Shannon-Browne
Yesterday we learned that “an individual involved in two First Degree Sexual Abuse and three Burglary One offenses” in Mount Pleasant had been arrested thanks to “A witness heard the victim’s scream and saw the suspect fleeing from the residence. The witness followed the suspect.”
That witness is Matthew Shannon-Browne. And make no mistake, the assailant would not have been caught without his selfless quick actions. I happen to know Matthew and had the opportunity to speak with him today. I learned that he chased the suspect for blocks and blocks through alleys over fences into the woods and back out again for at least 10 minutes before police arrived. The assailant told him he had a gun, threw a brick at him and despite all that Mathew never stopped his pursuit. He heard the screams from his home and made that split second decision to help. “My mother or daughter could be next if he gets away.”
Props certainly go out to the other civilians who helped, and ultimately the police who made the arrest, but without Mathew’s initial bravery this likely would have ended very differently. It’s a miracle no civilians got hurt during this chase. As a result of a few people’s actions so many can now breathe a sigh of relief. The sequence of events that went down before this guy was caught are simply extraordinary. So, I’m saying it anyway, Matthew Shannon-Browne is a straight up hero and Mount Pleasant and the District of Columbia are lucky to call him a neighbor and resident.
If you see him, buy him a beer. From now until forever. Also please read every word of his statement below. His actions were, again, extraordinary but I’d like to emphasize his last sentence: “I hope we can all take time to smile at one another, help one another and be there when others are in need.”
Statement from Matthew Shannon-Browne:
“I’m not a hero, I’m a neighbor. If we all allow ourselves to see our neighbors as our family, our sisters, our brothers, our mothers and our fathers we don’t need to protect ourselves with guns or the unnecessary use of deadly force.
The District is my home. I was raised in Mt. Pleasant and see it as an extension of my family. I live beside four households that were attacked by this man. People have been traumatized by his actions, and when I heard my neighbors scream for help and saw him fleeing their house, I instinctually knew I couldn’t allow him to get away. I instinctually knew that if I took my eyes off him he would return to hurt someone else. Maybe next time it would be my daughter, maybe my mother. I knew it wasn’t “The safe thing to do” but I knew deep down in my gut that I needed to help the police stop him. As I confronted the assailant in the alley I called 911 and began to chase him so that the police knew where exactly they could find him. (more…)
via MPD
UPDATE from MPD:
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit have announced an arrest has been made in connection with First Degree Sexual Abuse and Burglary One offenses that occurred in the 1600 block of Irving Street, Northwest.
On Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at approximately 1:00 am, the suspect gained entry to the victim’s residence at the listed location. Once inside, the suspect demanded US Currency. The suspect then sexually assaulted the victim. The suspect then fled the location on foot toward the south alley in the 1600 block of Irving Street, Northwest. CCN: 19-087-193
On Thursday, May 23, 2019, at approximately 6:00 am, the suspect gained entry to the victim’s residence at the listed location. Once inside, the suspect demanded US Currency. The suspect then sexually assaulted the victim. The suspect then fled the location. CCN: 19-088-654
On Monday, June 3, 2019 at approximately 2:30 pm, the suspect gained entry to the victims’ resident at the listed location. Once inside, the suspect demanded US Currency. The victims did not comply. A witness heard the victim’s scream and saw the suspect fleeing from the residence. The witness followed the suspect. While following the suspect, he threw a brick at the witness. The suspect was apprehended by responding officers. The witness was not injured. CCN: 19-096-300
On Monday, June 3, 2019, 58 year-old Lester Wilkerson, of Northwest, DC, was arrested and charged with two counts of First Degree Sexual Abuse, three counts of Burglary One and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Brick).
The Metropolitan Police Department would like to thank the public for their assistance in providing numerous tips in this case.”
Last night a reader wrote: (more…)
Photo by Chelsea Allinger
Thanks to Chelsea for sending last night from Mt. Pleasant and Kilbourne St, NW on the side of the Subway. Projection by Robin Bell‘s Bell Visuals.
via google maps
Update from MPD:
“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in connection with two First Degree Sexual Abuse and Burglary One offenses that occurred in the 1600 block of Irving Street, Northwest.
On Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at approximately 1:00 am, the suspect gained entry to the victim’s residence at the listed location. Once inside, the suspect demanded US Currency. The suspect then sexually assaulted the victim. The suspect then fled the location on foot toward the south alley in the 1600 block of Irving Street, Northwest. CCN: 19-087-193
The suspect was captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in the photos below: (more…)
3107 Mt. Pleasant Street, NW. David Cabrera and Ryan Hunter Mitchell. All photos by Reana Kovalcik
Thanks to Reana Kovalcik for sharing:
“Last weekend, Mount Pleasant’s destination for all things cinephile – Suns Cinema – celebrated its 3rd Birthday with a party and grand opening of a new, second story addition. Suns is the brainchild of founding fathers and movie-lovers David Cabrera and Ryan Hunter Mitchell, who transformed the space from a cellphone store into a boutique cinema in May of 2016. Now three years on, the two have built Suns into a neighborhood destination – a place to enjoy obscure indie films and guilty pleasure cult-classics alike, all over a carefully crafted cocktail and maybe a frozen Twix chaser. Cabrera and Mitchell have been working on an expansion of the theater for well over a year, and on their anniversary party (fittingly “future” themed), the pair formally opened the theater’s second story to the public. (more…)
This rental is located at 19th and Lamont Street, NW. The Craigslist ad says:
“$1200 3 bedrooms available in spacious, sunny Mt. Pleasant home ($800-1300) (more…)
From an email:
“The Mt. Pleasant Home and Garden tour, to benefit the Bancroft Elementary is this coming Saturday. Should be a beautiful way to celebrate the neighborhood. All details and tickets are here.”
From MPD:
“The third district is currently investigating a stabbing at the intersection of 16th St. and Lamont Street Northwest. An adult male is being transported to an area hospital with stab wounds to the upper body.
Motorist and pedestrians can expect road closures in the area as we investigate.
Anyone with information is asked to call 202-727-9099.”
3103 Mount Pleasant Street, NW
Thanks to Terry for sending. The French-Ethiopian Cafe, Addis Paris, opened in the former Lia Cafe in March 2018.
Updates when we learn what becomes of the space.
3167 Mt Pleasant Street, NW
El West has been around since 1995 – this better be a real renovation and not a “Renovation”.
STAY TUNED.
