Petworth

Photo from PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

There were a number of conflicting comments and reports in the comments of this weekend’s post about this incident. First and foremost the Washington Post/AP story claiming that MPD was investigating a stabbing of Mr. Eric Wright is completely inaccurate (there was a stabbing in SE that MPD was investigating). Secondly, the Washington Post/AP story claimed the incident took place in NE which is not the case. The Washington Post has since removed the incorrect article. Lastly, I have confirmed with MPD that the incident definitely involves a fall from the roof and the investigation is on going. 4D Commander Missouri says, “Preliminary reports from the Homicide Branch indicate no signs of foul play.”

The Salt Lake Tribune has released more information about the victim and the incident:

” Wright was working as an intern with the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics, said his mother, D. Wright. She asked that questions be directed to Kirk Jowers, director of the institute.

Wright had gone up to the roof of the seven-story Park Place Apartments and apparently slipped and fell, Jowers said. The roof is an open area set up as a public gathering space and Wright was alone when he fell, Jowers said.”

As another reader mentioned Mr. Wright’s friends and family are reading these posts so please be sensitive in your comments. My condolences go to the friends and family.

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Got a terrible email last night around 2:30am saying, “somebody fell off the roof of the Park Place building into the alley. Dead on the spot. Cops showed up within a minute or so. Have no idea what happened.”

I have confirmed the incident with building management. At the moment it is not clear if this was intentional or an accident. MPD writes:

“the 4th District received a radio run for an unconscious male in the rear of 850 Quincy St – upon arrival they found an adult male deceased… at this time our Violent Crimes Branch is investigating the cause of death (undetermined at this time) and further release of information is forthcoming.”

UPDATE MPD Press Release at 5:15pm

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating an undetermined death which occurred in the 3700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

On Saturday, August 28, 2010, shortly before 2:00 am, Officers from the Fourth District responded to the rear alley of the 3700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW, where they found a man, later identified as 22 year-old Eric Right of Salt Lake City, Utah, lying on the ground unresponsive. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and found no signs consistent with life and Mr. Right was subsequently pronounced dead.

The decedent’s remains were transported to the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsy and at this time the cause of death is undetermined.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099 or

1-888-919-CRIME (1-888-919-2746). The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

Neil Michael Godleski

For those who inquired about a vigil for the student murdered at Sherman Circle this past Sat. night, following are the details:

Dear Petworth Neighbors:

Join us for a prayer vigil and moment of Silence for Neil Michael Godleski, a resident of the Petworth Neighborhood.

Day and Time: Wednesday Night August 25th at 8:30 PM
Place: Kansas Avenue, NW and Sherman Circle, NW.

Riding his bike home from a restaurant where he was working to pay his own way through college, Neil Michael Godleski, 31, was shot and killed shortly after 12:30am on Sunday morning near Sherman Circle NW. It appears he encountered someone that attempted to rob him.

Neil, was a student at Catholic University of America and worked at a restaurant in the Southwest waterfront. He loved languages and learned Portuguese and Polish and became a rafting guide in Maine and Massachusetts.

Join us at the scene as neighbors come together in unison to remember him and to pray for safer streets. Law abiding citizens should not have to fear for their own safety when in route to work, church or while coming from the grocery store.

We will join together in hopes of lifting our neighborhood to higher levels of peace and a better understanding of living and being compatible with one another.

Candles will be provided.

For additional information please contact:

Keith Jarrell [email protected] 202-288-1867 Cell
Or Damiana Astudillo [email protected]

Wednesday Night August 25th at 8:30 PM
Kansas Avenue, NW and Sherman Circle, NW.

On a side note: Council Member Bowser just released a note about getting lights in Sherman Circle:

““Residents of Petworth have long complained that NPS grounds within Sherman Circle are potentially dangerous after dark because of the lack of lighting,” said Bowser. “All around the Circle are street lights but within the park grounds there are none. Lighting needs to be installed with great urgency.”

Today at 3 P.M., Bowser will meet at Sherman Circle with Delegate Holmes Norton, the District Department of Transportation, and officials from the Metropolitan Police Department. She has also advised the electric company to be ready to energize the Circle as soon as the federal government decides what to do.”

Full press release after the jump. (more…)

Anyone interested in a job can apply in the following ways:

“They can email their resume to [email protected] , they may stop by the store to pick up an application or they may visit www.Subway.com and apply.”

The store is located right next to Sala Thai on Georgia Ave, NW above the metro. I’ll be sure to updated when a specific day is selected for their grand opening.

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I’ve been getting tons of emails about this terrible news. Sorry for the delay in posting, I was out of town for the weekend.

UPDATE from TBD:

“Police say Neil Michael Godleski, 31, was riding his bike when he was shot at and chased by the suspect or suspects. Police are looking into robbery as a possible motive.

Godleski was a senior, majoring in biology, [at Catholic University] ABC 7 News has learned.”

Original report from MPD:

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal shooting which occurred in the Unit block of Sherman Circle, NW.

On Sunday, August 22, 2010 shortly after 12:30 am, units responded to the Unit Block of Sherman Circle, NW for the report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they located a victim suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services arrived and transported the victim to a local area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 31 year-old Neil Michael Godleski of the 500 block of Ingraham Street, NW.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME (1-888-919-2746). The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to D.C. CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by the caller to the Crime Solvers Unit leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

In other disturbing crime news. On Fri. night/Sat. morning there was a shooting in Shaw. From MPD:

“An adult male was shot at 8th and R St NW at approximately 3:00 am. He was transported to an area hospital in stable condition.”

Also on Fri. night/Sat. morning there was a shooting in Columbia Heights. From MPD:

“An adult male was shot in the 3000 block of 14 St NW and was transported to an area hospital in stable condition.”