Thursday, November 12, 2009
WP: Murder of George Rawlings
The Post has further information on the fatal shooting of a man yesterday in the 1400 block of H Street. George Rawlings, 21, was shot yesterday around 11:40am as he boarded a Metrobus. He had attended the funeral of a friend who had been murdered on Halloween night. The police did not have Rawlings listed as a witness (and his attorney has said that, although Rawlings was being threatened, he did not witness the Halloween murder) to the killing on Halloween. I think we can expect pretty extensive coverage for a while mostly because George was the older brother of Deonte Rawlings (14), who was killed in a controversial shooting by an off duty police officer two years ago.
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38 comments:
It's really kind of interesting that in our great society this type of thing goes on continuously, and unabated and is nearly unanimously treated as though it's just sad and unfortunate, but just part of life in the city.
I tend to think of it as darkly humorous that al Qaeda really thought that their attacks on 11 September 2001 would really bring us to our knees - when the reality is, despite the fact that it took the horrendous murder of over 3,000 innocent civilians to get our attention - it has faded back to the petty violence that is prevelant throughout our country, especially in our cities.
I'm not trying to drum up a "forget about the gangs, thar be tur'ists out thar!" type of argument here. I just am finding myself in a state of bewilderment. I get the feeling that this Hasan character at Fort Hood thought that he was really going to do some damage by shooting a bunch of Soldiers, and perhaps affect national policy through public outrage and fear. It's likely that John Muhammed had some similar sentiment - albeit probably mixed with mental defects - but still, they thought that the senseless murder of people would somehow shock us in a way that would change things.
And it works... for a time. Somehow we're able to operate with some sort of cognitive dissonance of being shocked and frightened when some random event like those occur, yet are numb to the continual and ceaseless levels of violent crime that permiate our cities. I'm reminded of the line from The Dark Knight - which struck home with me, despite the fiction of the film:
"Nobody panics when things go 'according to plan'… even if the plan is horrifying. If tomorrow I told the press that, like, a gang-banger will get shot, or a truck load of soldiers will be blown up, nobody panics, because it's all part of the plan. But when I say that one little old mayor will die… well, then everyone loses their minds!"
As long as we accept that this type of behavior is acceptable, as long as we allow ourselves to become numb to outrageous brutality and violence in our own neighborhoods, we will neversee the end of events like this.
Actually, it doesn't matter if you accept it or not. It is the nature of men, and women, to resort to violence when all else has failed and often when all else hasn't. From professionals killing their spouses and themselves after they got fired, apparantly this happens a lot in detroit, to teenagers shooting other teenagers in high schools because they were picked on. When has it ever been any other way?
There have been several shootings and robberies in the area, including on 6th street NE most recently. I often walk that area after work and I rarely see police patrol. Is there a way to increase visible police presence? Its not a solution but its additional prevention to such crimes. Is there anything we can do as a community to contribute to increased safety? And no - I'm not asking in the "tree-hugging" sort of way - I'm asking pragmatically - what can we do to help prevent this?
The statement, "When has it ever been any other way?" is exactly the type of mentality that allows such acts to continue. Yes, one may take the view (as do I, to an extent) that humans are inherently violent and more often than not through history - specifically violent towards fellow humans. This doesn't mean that we should surrender the whole purpose behind civilized existence to the idea that it's acceptable - why bother having any kind of structured society at all?
More to the point the tone of youre response seems to seeth with "victimization" of the perpetrators of such acts. Well, one can certainly justify acts of violence in situations where one's life or liberty is at stake - but to compare "professionals" committing murder-suicides over job loss or teens shooting each other to the type of thuggery that exists in the near-constant violent acts we're talking about is utter ridiculousness.
I'll caveat that by agreeing that there is a certain victimhood involved in many situations with teens killing each other over "bullying", but that has more to do with the fact that they are immersed in that type of behavior and it is viewed as acceptable - as stated.
As far as the police presence - it's more that the type of "presence" that DOES exist is counterproductive. The police force in this city is horribly managed when it comes to crime PREVENTION and DETERRENCE.
Of course residents can help curtail the type of behavior that leads to these crimes... and it's not "tree-hugging"-esque or vigilante. All it takes is for people to be proactive. Keep your yard well lit, get to know your neighbors, pay attention to who's supposed to be there and who looks out of place. Be active around your house, clean up your portion of the alley/street/sidewalk regularly. Pay attention to loiterers [sic] and people that act like they're likely to be intent on criminal behavior.
I'd even go so far as to say if there's no loitering law in DC, why don't residents concerned with gang members and hoodlums "hanging out" on street corners simply counter-loiter. Get together with friends and neighbors and hang out across the street. They'll either go find somewhere else to lurk or do something stupid and get arrested.
I'm simplifying of course...
I second this call to consider what we can do as a community - especially with winter drawing in and the likely drop-off of foot traffic on the streets. Group walks? Partnerships with police patrols - I read something years ago about how serving coffee and warm snacks for police could bring them to your street - could we set up police coffee hours or something?
What do the families whose kids are caught up in these things think would help?
Does anyone know any DC-area orgs we could partner with?
I think the community would be interested in participating in a safety related activity, but not planning one. If someone could take the initiative to plan it and make a call for volunteers, it might be successful.
The statement "The statement, "When has it ever been any other way?" is exactly the type of mentality that allows such acts to continue. " is completely wrong. Regardless of my view, the teen would have been shot. Since shootings happen in all parts of the city, it probably wouldn't matter where they were, he still would have gotten shot. There is no victimization in my tone at all, and yes I am the previous poster. I am saying that this ideological notion of "stand up to them!" is misplaced. Lets say you saw the two people who shot the person on H. Would you report it? Risk being a target yourself? Have to go into witness protection? Upend your life, your job, your family? Risk all of their lives? That’s the though that goes through all these people who struggle to live every day in and around this crime. They can’t afford to just stay home and miss work. You can take the lofty position of "of course!" or you can take the realistic opinion of "maybe".
On my street, some new neighbors called the police to have some youths removed from their steps. Later that night, their tires were slashed. Should they have to deal with that? Of course not. It is the reality of the situation.
I'm not saying do nothing, I'm not saying be a victim, I am saying be intelligent about it. The idea that everyone should suddenly say "no more" to the gangs and thugs is ridiculous. My comparing high school students and professionals shooting others and themselves was meant to show that anyone, anywhere can commit acts of violence. Violence is directly correlated to the amount of people in any given area. Not just going to change overnight with some lofty notion of "do the right thing".
The simple fact is, standing up to them will get you harassed and shot. It's not victimization, its reality. They have guns, you don't have guns, they will shoot you, and you wouldn't shoot them even if you had a gun. The police can not protect everyone all the time.
Yes, I am aware of programs where people "take their streets back" but you can't take all of them back, because the thugs, robbers and hooligans have to ply their trade somewhere.
H Street will change, it will take time, and more people will get shot and killed while it changes. Stop bitching about the people who live here and don’t' do anything or this misguided “they have this mentality that’s its ok”. They actually don’t have this mentality. Another neighbor of mind used to call the cops to get rid of the drug dealers that sit on her brick wall. They slashed her tires every time they saw they were inflated. They aren't cops, they aren't violent, they are just trying to make it home to have a meal in peace with their families.
So why don’t you put your ideological ass where your mouth is and start walking the streets with all your ideological neighbors and walk up to all those youths selling drugs on the corners and tell them “we aren’t going to put up with this”. Do that, report back how far it got ya.
Keep in mind this (as like nearly all) homicide is a targeted one. The victim wasn't random.
Numerous law enforcement studies have shown that this type of homicide isn't preventable, so increased patrols or community walks won't do much to thwart this type of crime.
Overall, the area is very safe compared to other parts of DC.
I understand completely when one relates that many are just "trying to survive" and have larger priorities than ideologues advocating a better neighborhood or society...
...and if individuals decide that they can submit themselves to the tyrrany of violence and crime and sleep soundly at night - than so be it. Those same individuals should not however, in my humblest of opinions, feel the urge to cry foul when and if others that make the efforts to eliminate that tyranny occasionally make mistakes.
violence is way less correlated to the amount of people in a given area, and WAY more to the socio economic status of those people. desperate, bored, uneducated people do stupid, desperate things.
"stand up to them!" may be a naive way of approaching the situation, but if you're going to lambaste people who are making constructive suggestions, you may want to, I don't know, suggest something better...?
suggesting we simply take all of this violence as the status quo is a pretty defeatest and sad way of thinking. no, the cyclical culture of crime, drug use and lack of education that so hugely effects many lower socio economic black people in major urban areas cannot be changed overnight. nor can it be changed by a neighborhood watch, but shouldn't something be done? it's an age-old question - does "fixing" this situation take systematic or individual change? my answer is that it takes both.
that said, I think neighborhood watches or providing coffee for police to encourage them to patrol the neighborhood can be effective steps. sure, they're small steps, and yes there are absolutely much larger and more important steps that need to take place before anyone can expect to see any sort of real change, but why not try something? it's important to feel empowered and not vulnerable. feelings of vulnerability and defensiveness only perpetuate the situation.
meh. i used to live in georgetown in the nineties. believe it or not, it was a hellhole back then. rapes, shootings, etc.
the 7-11 on p street opened up a little police hangout with phones, free coffee, a few chairs and a desk. it's gone now, of course. but they did their part in helping police in what used to be a pretty volatile area at the time. that all changed in the early 2000s.
too bad we don't have businesses that actually give a hoot about the neighborhood and its residents.
yeah, it's going to take a while. i'm not even sure it's ethical for a "pull police into your neighborhood" by giving away free things... like coffee.
now doughnuts are another story entirely!
I was driving home (Trinidad) and got stopped at the light on 13th and H st NE. I had no clue what the issue was at the time, but by the number and variety of police cars I knew it was bad. The brazen nature of the crime is astounding. To think there are individuals in DC that think this behavior is appropriate is scary. I was ready through the comments on the Wash Post article and would like to suggest an idea that may not have been discussed at length here.
Individuals get so upset about the acts in part due to the fact that we are all inclined to self preservation. I am amazed the bus driver was not shot. We get so upset because we want to eliminate the risk of getting caught up in the "event." I drove through the area about 90 minutes after it occurred. If traffic was better I could have been driving by when it occurred.
Even the head of the Metro Union (Jackie Keeter) expressed concern today on WTOP for the safety of her drivers. She expressed her members' concern for their safety while on the job. I am so tired of everyone throwing the race card around and all of the BS about socioeconomic status. The truth is we are all just trying to protect our little world and we all (despite race or socioeconomic status) get pissed off when we hear about these criminal acts. I hope DC cops find these three guys.
Also, can someone explain the relationship between the Halloween party victim and Mr. Rawlings? You would have thought the Wash Post would have developed that part of the story, but again that would require actual work and decent reporting.
TR
bring back mandatory service in the military. that might work?
TR - I'm honestly curious - how is it that you think socio economic status does not play a role in the violent culture that exists in urban areas? Please explain why you feel it's "bs." Because, I'm sorry, but you don't see well educated, well off people (white, black, asian, purple, whatever) acting this way. It's called desperation and ignorance. Blatantly and undeniably related to socio economic status. If you have differing thoughts, I'd be interested to hear them.
I think it's completely ethical for stores to offer nominal items to police to ensure a sufficient presence. It's an incredibly common thing for convenience stores to do. I think that the good that it brings a community far outweighs the ethical harm that it might do.
With that said, I always seem to see police eating at Taylor. I'm not sure if they are doing much to ensure that, or maybe the cops just love delicious hoagies and fried ravioli. Either way, it's good to see.
The Washington Times had a far more detailed story on George Rawlings, the teen who was killed on H Street, as well as Ashton Hunter, whose funeral he was attending.
Rawlings was on probation for felony gun possession and had recently returned to DC from Butner Federal Correctional Complex in NC. He had been charged with 10 felony and misdemeanor cases from 2006 to 2007.
Hunter, who was fatally shot on Oct 31, was living with a family member under a DYRS monitoring arrangement. He was charged with more than 20 assault, gun and theft-related cases from 2003 to 2007.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/12/dc-teen-killed-after-anothers-funeral/
from the Times (thought they went under?):
"DYRS officials said that about 300 youths subject to the agency's supervision live at home or with relatives under similar arrangements. Court records show that Hunter was charged in more than 20 assault, gun and theft-related cases from 2003 to 2007."
Maybe if DYRS wasn't so absolutely committed to putting violent teenagers on the streets every time MPD brings them in, this kid would probably still be alive today.
Tommy Wells is a huge fan of the current DYRS policy of letting youth stay at home with supervisory social worker type monitoring. Too bad that the youngsters are not shooting up his neighborhood.
My thoughts after reading the comments on the last two posts:
First, I'm not optimistic about the cameras catching the criminals. They point out the front window of the buses I've seen. Hopefully I'm wrong. Maybe an outrage like this could be used to push through an additional camera above the door of each bus.
Second, there must have been people on the right side of that bus who can give descriptions, even via anonymous phone call, and who are not known to the killers...I hope people will do that and not stick w/ the no snitching rule.
Third, I hate to jinx our neighborhood, but there have been no homicides in Trinidad this calendar year. But this incident makes me think back to the shooting of Trey Joyner by Park Police and the investigation that was supposed to be going on by the FBI. I'm not able to find anything on the web about that.
Don't worry; there are tens of thousands of envious people who wish they had bought property in the H St. Corridor in 2006. But now they are price out forever! Let them eat cake.
"Don't worry; there are tens of thousands of envious people who wish they had bought property in the H St. Corridor in 2006."
Keep telling yourself that. I feel sorry for people who bought in that area expecting it to turn. It's not happening in their lifetime.
Before the neighborhood watches, peace marches, demands for increased patrolling, etc. get started, let's keep in mind one thing: this murder was among treatment resistant juveniles that had Southeast addresses but were members of a crew that controlled territory in Shaw. It had nothing to do with Near Northeast except that there is an X2 stop.
Before we have yet another round of sympathy for the Rawlings family, keep in mind that criminal violence is part of their pedigree! Daddy Rawlings reared (I use the term loosely, as he has custody of only four) SIXTEEN children and has a penchant for domestic violence, violence against law enforcement officers, and threats of violence. Ex-Mommy Rawlings served time for multiple drug and assault charges, including one for stabbing her current boyfriend. His criminal history is lengthy too, surprise there.
All of this mess is a consequence of a criminal culture that is deeply entrenched in the social culture in the District.
Hmm. Nice guy.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/crime/Shooting-victim-implicated-in-Halloween-murder_-police-say-8521368-69917437.html
"But police sources familiar with the case told The Examiner that Rawlings was being looked at as the getaway driver or the provider of the sport utility vehicle used in the killing of 19-year-old Hunter on Halloween night."
Etc. etc.
I'm sure this is all an MPD set up. After all, that's the most logical explanation. Occam's Razor and all.
For all those out there who want to make a difference PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send your concerns and requests for increased police activity along H Street to Tommy Wells at TWells@dccouncil.us.
He has been extremely responsive to my emails, letters etc. Make your voice heard in any way you can.
Together we can push our leaders into cleaning up the H street and Benning Rd Corridors!
Write/call Tommy Wells and tell him you want harsher punishments on youth offenders! The reason these kids are killing one another is that they are constantly being RELEASED from programs. The sheets on Rawlings, Hunter, and our pal Darrell Lee speaks to this!
"Treatment resistant" = "life resistant"
Rebecca,
My point is as follows:
I do not believe criminal behavior is soley based on the level of an individual's education or income. I agree socioeconomic status has a part in determining ones tendency to crime but it alone does not predict criminal behavior. This belief is backed up by the FACT that everyone breaks some laws. For example, some middle and high income earners cheat on taxes, we all (at one point or another) park illegally, some adults drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The point is everyone who breaks a law makes a personal choice to do so. It has very little to do with income or education. Case in point, the recent Police Chief in Alexandria got a DUI and lost his career (a few days in jail too). This individual was a cornerstone of the Alexandria community and he chose to get behind the wheel while drunk.
As individuals mature they usually realize they must "fall in line" and work hard to make an honest living. This is the case in Trinidad as well. A majority of the adults who are my neighbors wake up every morning and go to work. They made the choice years ago to live within the laws. There is very little a well intended community can do if the criminals in the area continue to make the wrong choice and maintain a life of criminal activity.
So far I proved your comment about "well off and educated" people wrong (Alexandria Police Chief – thank you for proving my point). Also, cultures of violence do not always exist in urban areas.
The problem with DC is we have too many INDIVIDUALS who choose the path of least personal resistance. These individuals choose crime because they are too damn lazy to get off their ass and get an education. Their parents are too lazy to instill in them a work ethic and help them learn how to read when they are children. The Rawlings family is a great example. Based on a previous post Mr. and Mrs. Rawlings were awful parents who also made the choice too often in their lives to break laws. Some of their children chose to break laws like their parents – this should not surprise anyone. Children often emulate their parents.
People who succeed in this world realize early on that to some degree they are on their own in this world. It is up to them to get educated, get a job, and try not to get a DUI.
Ref:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/26/AR2009072601007.html
TR
TR - I read Rebecca's post about well educated people not "acting this way" to mean acting violently; ie shooting on another. And not just once, how about having 10 - 20 felony cases within a few years.
Are you serious about treating all illegal activity the same? Illegal parking....you've got to be kidding!
Blaming socio-economic status is such a BS thing to say, as if economic status confers morality. Lots of people live honest and decent lives while at the same time being on the low end of the income ladder - the difference between them and the thugs who make DC such a tough place to live in many parts of the city is that they simply do not have the same values and all the money in the world won't change people with a totally skewed sense of right and wrong.
Putting this all on socio-economic status might fit very well with a certain political viewpoint and its proposed solutions for society but it's not reality.
These guys each had 10 to 20 felony cases each. Think about it. Those are only the ones for which they were CAUGHT.
How many other crimes did they get away with? Some of the cases were for gun possession. How often were they out in the community - OUR community - armed and dangerous?
We can't lay this off on socioeconomic status. Ward 6 has a 20% or greater poverty rate and it's higher in some other Wards. If all of those people were driven to lives of crime and mayhem by their "status," none of us could ever be safe anywhere, anytime.
There are only a few who are criminals. They are responsible for repeated criminal acts.
We have to get them OFF the STREETS.
The DC laws, passed by the City Council, turn the criminals loose to continue their criminal activity over and over again - until they die, or kill one of us.
Maybe we need to take a good look at the City Council. There's an election next year....
Anon 9:11 pm,
I never said parking illegaly was equal to killing someone. I simply said we all commit some crimes, but it takes a thug to shoot someone (personal choice). These thugs will never change. We need to elect officials that care about crime!
The first step might be to ask your Councilmember why they froze the hiring for the police, yet propose giving 10 year tax exemptions to the Hilton Garden Inn in the Constitution Square developement, and to the Steuart Oil condo project at 3rd & H.
no one with 20 felony cases should be on our streets.
but how do we change things?
Elect new councilmembers, that's how - they are the one ones that can ensure that criminal penalties are tough enough to get criminals off the streets for long periods of time.
Unfortunately, most of them are mushy soft on crime types, so don't hold your breath. And I guess to be fair, I think most of them are representing the views of most of their constituents on this subject as well...but I think it's obvious that tougher sentencing is the answer.
two words:
education
parenting
oh, also, impending announcement of developments on 3rd and H. hopefully, this will include a letter of intent of a store!
maybe they're turning Senate Square into a 13-story Trader Joes? Bankrupt
i feel real bad for the family he was not only someone dad but a brother and a dear friend. we as a community need to put in place things for the youth to do so they won't turn to crime
r.i.p. george
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