Death Investigation at Webb Elementary Site

Photo by Richard Layman 

On my way to work I saw a cryptic tweet from DC Firefighters L36.

Units on the scene of the former Ruth Webb Elementary school with a PDOA MPD on scene
— DC Fire Fighters L36 (@IAFF36) February 7, 2013

It turns out that PDOA means Person Dead On Arrival (new abbreviation to me).

Here's further information from the 5-D listserv

Today, Thursday, February 7, 2013,shortly before 8 am,  Fifth District officers were called to the 1300 block of Childress Street, NE, for a report of an unconscious person.

When officers arrived they found an adult male in a playground area.  The man was dead at the scene.  Homicide detectives are on the scene working to determine how and when the man died.

Andy Solberg

Commander, 5D

Webb Elementary shut down quite a while back (students relocated to a newly renovated facility at Wheatley Education Campus on Neal Street). The Webb site has been the source of troubles since its shut down, including squatters, and a fire. The campus fronts on Mt. Olivet Road, but has a large rear playground behind it (close to Trinidad Rec), so that's what's up Childress Street address. The site is slated to become a KIPP school.

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UPDATE

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The Washington Post reports that the man was only wearing socks when he was found.

And here is more from MPD:

Undetermined Death: 1600 Block of Holbrook Street, NE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating an undetermined death in the 1600 block of Holbrook Street, Northeast.

On Thursday, February 7, 2013, at approximately 7:45 am, a passerby alerted Deputy US Marshals of an adult male who appeared to be unconscious in the 1600 block of Holbrook Street, NE.  Upon arrival on the scene, they located an adult male who was unresponsive.  Units from the Fifth District and DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department responded and determined there were no signs consistent with life and the unconscious male remained on the scene. The remains have been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pending autopsy.

The decedent has been identified as 44-year old Thomas Edward Wright of Northeast, DC.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’sTEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.