Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Fatal Shooting in the 1400 Block of Morse

From the listserv:

At about 3:55am, on May 30, 2011 officers responded to the 1400 block of Morse street for sounds of gun fire. Found on the scene was a young adult male suffering from multiple gun shots to his body. He was transported to hospital were he passed due to his injuries. Anyone having information please call 911 or 202-727-9099.

This is in the southeastern corner of Trinidad.

___________________________________________
UPDATE
___________________________________________

Homicide Watch DC has two updates.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Any word on the age of the victim? Black or white? Was he a resident of the neighborhood? Which High School did he attend?

Anonymous said...

The washington times had an article about it I think. It said the guy was from capitol heights or district heights or something.

Anonymous said...

Black or white?? What freaking difference does that make? White: you freak out and wonder what is coming to the world. Black: you're relieved, the beat goes on.

Mitch Palski said...

I am doing research for a book author who is writing on the history of NE DC (H Street) and am wondering if you have word docs with your blogs?? Obviously, I will be citing your blog in my research.

Can you please contact me via email @ map5135@gmail.com ASAP?

djbays said...

from the Wash Times article:

A Capitol Heights man was also gunned down in the District on Monday, Metropolitan Police said.

Officers responded to the 1400 block of Morse Street Northeast around 4 a.m. and found 28-year-old Keith Leon Turner suffering from gunshot wounds. He died less than an hour later at a local hospital.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/may/31/five-killed-pg-dc-memorial-day/

Anonymous said...

@Anon 8:49

You can pretend it doesn't matter, but it does. I wish it didn't, but I don't pretend.

It's tragic, but I tend to categorize crimes: it could have been me or not. This one seems to fall into the 'not' column.

I don't typically have business out on the street at 3 am in Trinidad. Unfortunately, 'white or black' is shorthand for determining the probability that this was a random act of violence or not. It doesn't make it a certainty, but as a white person in the neighborhood, I'm sure as hell going to take more greater note if another white guy is gunned down, as it is extremely atypical and likely indicative of a type of violence of more immediate concern to me and my family.

Anonymous said...

Ooooh gurl.....Morse Street is ghetto!

Anonymous said...

3:09,

i hope you're able to maintain that level of detached ignorance for a long time. the wake up call can be quite painful.

Anonymous said...

Umm, I'm not so sure Anon 10:15. Isn't black on black violent crime way more prevelant than black on white crime? Maybe you should wake up or is that reality too painful for you? When you ignore statistical facts, who really has the detached ignorance here?

Not all blacks commit violent crimes (fact), but why are the majority of violent crimes in this city committed by blacks (fact)? Now is there something we can do as a community to fix that?

Anonymous said...

R.I.P Keith baby I loved you with ALL my heart ...my husband to be my bestfriend I will never forget you !!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

anon 10:35,
you think i'm ignorant because of statistics? you think i should wake up and rely on statistics rather than my personal experiences?
its hard to tell if you're serious or have even thought about what you're saying. in any case, you are free to think i'm ignorant.

so i'll rephrase my statement to ease you. may you continue to live in your awaked state of statistical safety.

Anonymous said...

3:09 and 10:35,

I think the better indicators for you are the location of the crime and the time it was committed. Along with any other info that may come out of the story like motive. I don't see how knowing the race of the victim helps you feel more comfortable/safe at all. I love the "oh the victim was black and probably had it coming to him so I have nothing to worry about" mentality. Classic!

Anonymous said...

Given that the victim was black, murdered at 4AM, and in a notoriously sketchy area doesn't make it okay.

Things have got to change.

Anonymous said...

Pure hypothetical: say there is an extraordinary spike in shooting deaths of whites around H Street over a 3 month period. Would Anon 8:49 still say "what freaking difference does it make?"

Anon 11:32 has a good point about some better indicators than race, but would it be correct to dismiss race completely?

Anonymous said...

it's not your neighborhood until you start caring about the lives of everyone in it.

Anonymous said...

@anon 1:33,

Nobody said they didn't care about what happened. You're putting this conversation in a place it isn't trying to go.

Anonymous said...

It's dangerous to ignore stastics - "the wake up call can be painful."

Anonymous said...

Hi anon 12:19,

Anon 8:49 and 11:32 here. You stated: "Pure hypothetical: say there is an extraordinary spike in shooting deaths of whites around H Street over a 3 month period. Would Anon 8:49 still say "what freaking difference does it make?""

First of all, stupid hypo for a variety of reasons but I'll answer anyhow. Absolutely, unless the shooter was leaving notes at the crime scene indicating the crimes were racially motivated. My concern would be why is there a spike in shootings of people in that area, regardless of what color the victims are. Anymore silly questions?

Anonymous said...

http://t.co/rMACkrC
There is nothing to see here. Move along.

Anonymous said...

That map is depressingly mind blowing. Wow.

Anonymous said...

what's depressing about it?

Franky said...

I'd be interested in knowing if it was gang or drug dealer that was shot. If the victim was white, it's pretty unlikely.

Now before you shoot off a reply that, "Not all gangstas and dealers are black", just consider in this hood, they are.

Anonymous said...

@anon 3:25 -

The DC map is really not that bad, there is decent integration. At least in our 'hood.

Though look at that map for Philly...

Anonymous said...

He was not a gang member nor a drug dealer he was a good person how do kno cuz tht was my boyfriend for the last 5years so all of you that have negative things too say about him can sthu plz R.I.P KEITH SEE U WHEN I GET THERE!

tubbs said...

Jesus. Jesus Christ.

Anonymous said...

There are some well integrated areas, but pull back a little and the dividing line is very stark-- it's like somebody said 'whites to the west, blacks to the east'. I mean, this fact is no big surprise, but seeing it laid out like it is on the map is really very stunning. The areas around the Starburst intersection are fascinating in their block-by-block differences in composition.

bv said...

mskaribaby,
i'm so sorry.
and i'm sorry that on top of your loss you have read these comments. when people don't know someone they make all kinds of speculations of purpose and their own relative safety. it's disgusting.

again, my condolences for your loss.

tiffanyc said...

all day i had the same thought. i had a sudden realization that no one on this blog had expressed their condolences to mskaribaby. say what you want, but that speaks volumes about our neighborhood.

bv said...

tiffany,
you may be quick to judge, but in reality it doesn't speak volumes. too many factors to draw conclusions like that. not the least of which is that it's a blog, and the post has been pushed down the line.

Alan Page said...

Anyone who is more concerned that a person of one race is killed rather than a person of another race is a racist, point blank. Human life has equal value. I would be concerned about a spate of shootings involving any race of victim. As should you, if you're not racist.

And assuming whether someone is a drug dealer based on their race is pure ignorance.

Unbelievable. In 2011, even.

Alan Page said...

typo. delete "whether" from the last sentence of the previous post. typing too fast.

Anonymous said...

...we'll just have to wait for the truth to come out. Then we'll see who's right.

Anonymous said...

Alan, I think you and others are really missing the point of the original post and turning this into a discussion that it was never meant to be.

You say - "Anyone who is more concerned that a person of one race is killed rather than a person of another race is a racist, point blank."

First, that's not what's happening here. No one is unconcered for the victim and you suggesting so is really counterproductive to discussion. On the other hand, just to be clear, though I dont' see anyone doing so, I would nevertheless caution everyone that we know NOTHING of the circumstances of the killing beyond this person's race and time they were shot so any notions about the reasoning is pure, uninformed speculation. A person was killed and no one should make light of that.

The issue is that, sadly, black on black, lethal violence in this city is WAY WAY WAY more common than black on white (and exponentially more common than white on white). In addition, it is often (though not always) not "random" in the sense that the victims and attackers often know each other (or at the very least have some mutual interest) that leads to a dispute.

Conversely, black on white crime in this city is much more rare. This type of crime is almost always random, in that the victim and attacker to not know each other, often robbery or other assault. Though this crime is "rare" (and more rare than many people believe) it is, frankly, the type of crime that most middle/upper class people (of whatever race) have to be realistic about facing when they live in the less expensive parts of the city.

However black on white lethal violence is very very rare and, when it occurs, its randomness combined with its rarity, make it exceedingly threatening to the middle/upper class members of a neighborhood. It is simply not part of the expectations of middle/upper class people living in the city (most of whom happen to be white).

Therefore, you simply can't be a serious person if you brand someone a racist simply because they would see an uptick in black on white, lethal violence as a potentially threatening development that has different implications than the (unfortunately) much more common black on black lethal crime.

Anonymous said...

@5:42: Well said.

However, @tiffanyc, I have to admit you are right. That nobody, myself included, expressed condolences says something, and it's not good.

mskaribaby, I am sorry for your loss. It is tragic, but I hope Keith's passing is not in vain- I hope it helps everyone in this neighborhood realize that we can work together to make clear that all violent crime, to all people, at all times, is unacceptable and must be resisted will the full force of community effort and police involvement.

Anonymous said...

5:42 and 3:27,

Trying to justify your racism is ridiculous. Knowing the race of the VICTIM tells you little about the crime. There are senseless killings of black people all the time in this city where the victim didn't know the attacker, was an innocent bystander, etc. Making assumptions about the victim just because he/she is black may make you feel safer, but it really shouldn't. I have plenty of black neighbors who have nothing to do with gangs, drug dealing or any sort of criminal activity. If one of them were murdered in one of these senseless killings I would be very sad and concerned about the violence. I wouldn't be able to say, "oh the victim was black so [insert stupid/racist assumption here]." Some of you people are amazing.

Anonymous said...

Anon 8:51 & Alan,

You guys are throwing around the label 'racist' waaaaay too liberally, IMO. There's a lot of thoughtful discussion on this board and going for the racist/not racist either-or fallacy isn't all that helpful.

MissingKeith214 said...

I just cant believe that Keith is gone....i've cried since the day i found out and i still cant believe it. this is the person i talked to all day, everyday about any and everything and he's no longer here with me...the person who i could fall asleep on the phone with and wake up and he's still on the line. but what hurts the most is that i never got the chance to say goodbye....or to tell him how much i truly loved him with all my heart. its crazy that i didnt find out about his death until this past Sunday, but i had been calling his phone for days and it would just go to voicemail....i still wake up in the morning thinking i'll give him his everyday wake up call no later than 7:10 making sure he's out the door for work and just hearing him say "good morning babyyyy" or him telling me how i fell asleep on him the night before or how he listened to me snore and when i denied it he would play it back on his phone recorder lol....damn man....this shit hurts me to my soul

Anonymous said...

I could go off but I'm not what the be the point to? To convince a woman or to let it be known ....MAYBE I know KEITH loved me as much as I loved him someone who I was about to MARRY YES WE WERE/ARE ENGAGED I HAVE THE RING someone who's son or daughter I AM HAVING some who I WAS ALWAYS ON THE PHONE WITH SOMEONE WHO I SAW ALL TIME...SOMEONE WHO I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH RIGHT BEFORE HE DIED WHO TOLD ME HE LOVED ME WITH A HIS HEART AND COULDN'T WAIT TO MARRY AND HAVE HIS BABY ...NOW I MUST ADMIT I AM JUST A LITTLE BIT NO MATTER OF FACT I'M HIGHLY ANNOYED TO SEE ANOTHER COMMENT FROM ANOTHER FEMALE.SAYING HOW.MUCH SHE TRULY LOVE MY BOYFRIEND/FIANCE OF THE LAST 5YEARS SO THAT'S PROBABLY WHY I'M WRITING THIS POST YOU CAN SAY IM VENTING OR WHATEVER YOU WANT BUT I AM THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT I SAY WHAT I FEEL ...NOW TOO YOU COOKIE(LATOYA) YES I KNO UR NICK NAME KEITH TOLD ME EVERYTHING I'M NOT ON HERE START A BLOG BACK FOURTH WAR WITH YOU BECAUSE ITS POINTLESS BECAUSE KEITH IS GONE IT CRAZY THAT YOU DIDN'T GET FIND OUT OF HIS DEATH UNTIL THIS PAST SUNDAY I FOUND OUT THE DAY HE DIED BUT THAT'S BESIDES THE POINT ...YOU KNO NOW AND I UNDERSTAND THE PAIN YOU MAY BE GOING THREW ....BUT DON'T SIT AND DWELL ON YOU NEVER GOT THE CHANCE TO SAY GOODBYE BECAUSE NOBODY GETS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY GOODBYE BECAUSE NOBODY KNOWS WHEN IT'S THERE TIME .....SO AM GOING TO LEAVE THIS BLOG ON THIS NOTE ..... KEITH MY HEART AND SOUL THIS HAS TOO BE THE HARDEST 2WEEKS OF.MY LIFE I NEVER THOUGHT ID SEE THE DAY WHERE U WERNT HERE WITH ME I MISS YOU SO MUCH AND I LOVE U WITH ALL MY HEART AND YOU KNOW THAT ....IT'S SO.HARD TO EXCEPT THAT FACT THAT YOUR GONE BUT I KNO IN MY HEART YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE WITH YOUR BROTHER KEVIN LOOKING DOWN ON ME SMILING AND THAT YOUR SOUL IS TRULY AT PEACE SO UNTIL THE DAY WE MEET AGAIN I LOVE YOU ...R.I.P KEITH LEON TURNER nd R.I.P KEVIN JERMAINE TURNER MAY BOTH YOUR SOULS REST IN PEACE <3

MissingKeith214 said...

Now, I could go back and forth with you Carrianne about Keith, but like you said...its pointless. Keith is gone, but the truth still remains. You knew where you stood with Keith and so did I, and thats all that matters.

*Treat Others With Love,Loyalty And Respect While They're Here On Earth...Tomorrow Is NOT Promised To Anyone*

Just Food For Thought

(Oh yea, you must have the wrong LaToya because Keith had quite a few nicknames for me, But COOKIE was NOT one of them)

Anonymous said...

YOU JUST HAD TO THROW THAT LAST SENTENCE IN THERE DIDN'T YOU BUT I'M NOT REALLY CONCERED WITH ANY NICKNAMES HE CALLED YOU ONLY WITH WHAT HE CALLED ME "HIS WIFE" BUT YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS STUPID AND PETTY ...GOD Bless you Latoya ...R.I.P Keith