Park View

Here’s the article mentioned in this morning’s rant/revel – D.C.’s last serial killer: The Princeton Place murders, 20 years later:

“D.C. was a different place then, particularly on the rougher edges of town, and the brutality of the Princeton Place murders seemed to catch the zeitgeist. D.C. was Murder Capital, U.S.A. Gentrification was a rumor. Drug markets were open-air and in your face. Police were overwhelmed. The coroner’s office was a mess . . . and, lost in the shuffle, black women caught up in drugs, sometimes in prostitution, started to disappear.”

Read the full story here.

DCHA Statement on Park Morton shooting:

“DCHA owns and manages housing for low-income families. We’ve invested millions of dollars in enhancements, such as lighting and fences. In addition, we have invested in an infrastructure of more than 1,200 cameras across the city designed to supplement law enforcement’s efforts to investigate crimes when they occur. At the time of the shooting the onsite camera equipment was operating but the recording equipment was engaged in a software maintenance routine so the footage caught on camera was not recorded.

A psychopath walked to a playground and fired a weapon hitting two people, including a precious child, and countless others were traumatized. The perpetrator should be tracked down and jailed for a long time. We know MPD is doing their part with the criminal investigation and we’re doing what we can to assist them. Tragically, horrific reports like this are made in communities too often.”

-Richard White, Director of Public Affairs & Communications for DC Housing Authority”

From MPD:

“At approximately 7:24 p.m., MPD Third District units were dispatched to the 600 blocks of Park Road and Morton Streets to investigate the sounds of gunshots. Upon MPD’s arrival, two victims were located with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds and transported to area hospitals. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Metropolitan Police Department on 202-727-9099. Thank you.”

UPDATE from MPD:

“The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a person of interest in connection with an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun), which occurred in the 600 block of Morton Street, NW.

On Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at approximately 7:22 pm, an adult male and a juvenile female were at the playground located in the 600 block of Morton Street, NW, when an armed male subject entered the playground and began shooting. Both the adult male and juvenile female sustained a gunshot wound. Both shooting victims were transported to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

The subject is described as follows:

Black male armed with a silver handgun, mid 20’s, approximately 5’4’’ tall, medium complexion, light goatee, wearing a black skull cap, black hooded sweatshirt, black cargo pants or black jeans, black timberland boots and black sunglasses.

The Metropolitan Police Department is offering a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for committing this shooting. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.”