Just after midnight, MPD responded to the 1500 block of Benning Road NE to investigate sounds of gunshots.

Upon arriving at the location, an adult male victim was found suffering from gunshot wounds to the body. The officers attempted to render first aid, however, the victim was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The victim has been identified as 27-year-old Wilbert Brooks, of Northeast, DC.
 
This case is being investigated by MPD's Violent Crimes Branch. Anyone who may have information about this investigation, please call 202-727-9099 or anonymously text 50411.

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 responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia. 

I will post additional details if/when those become available. Our community sends its' condolences to the family. 

UPDATED: 12:45 PM with victim's name. 

Dear Neighbors,
I am truly sorry to report that there has been more shooting in our neighborhood overnight.  Fortunately no one was harmed during last night's incident. ​I've been in touch with MPD this morning and now have a full report about the shootings (9/27 at 12:30 AM).

Here are the facts that we know so far:

• Most of the shooting took place on the 2100 block of H St. NE
• Shotspotter detected 20 shots
• MPD officers found 10 casings and 1 live round at the scene
• 2 vehicles were shot (A Car2Go on H St. NE and a private vehicle on the 1800 block of Benning Rd. NE)
• The owner of the private vehicle flagged down police to report that the car had been shot and Car@Go has been notified about the damage to their vehicle. 

Please remember that whenever you hear gunshots (or even noise that you think may be gunshots) it is important to call 911 immediately.  If you know anything about the recent violence in our community, please share anything that you may have witnessed with police.  You can call MPD at 202-727-9099. You can also text them anonymously at 50411.

I will also be out in the neighborhood this weekend passing out the fliers that MPD has created for the murder suspects in our area, if he is not captured first. If you can help, I'd appreciate it and will post more details on Friday

In Shared Hope for a Safer Future, 

Sydelle Moore
​President, Langston Civic Association 

UPDATE: Fliers to be distributer at 19th and Benning starting at noon on Sept. 29.

Dear Neighbors,

In light of the recent quadruple-shooting and now a murder on the 1800 block of Benning Rd. NE, I wanted to share a few ongoing efforts with the community that the I have taken to contribute to a safer environment in the long term.

1. I have been in ongoing talks with DCRA about improving the security in and around vacant properties in general and have asked that they focus in particular on the 1800 block of Benning Rd NE. At my request, the agency will have inspectors out today to review what measures the city can take legally and quickly to better secure these buildings which many residents have reported as a source of illegal activity and quality of life issues. DPW and other agencies will be working with DCRA in this effort.
2. The Langston Civic Association has an ongoing protest before ABRA against the alcohol seller's license of Sylvia’s Liquor at 1818 Benning Rd NE. Although the store currently has security cameras, one of the items I have advocated for is that the store replace the current cameras which only face one direction with dome-shaped cameras capable of capturing activity from multiple directions. The protest hearing is scheduled for Oct. 17 at 4:30 PM. If you cannot attend, you may also contact me to submit a written testimony outlining your concerns and illegal activity that you have witnessed. Please send written testimony or notify me of your desire to testify in person no later than  midnight on 9/9/2018 by emailing sydelle202@gmail.com. This week’s events are a tragic reminder that we as a community need to speak out about the need for improved safety on this block. Please don’t miss the opportunity to advocate for yourself and your families. 
3. There are additional measures being taken by MPD and other agencies. Information will be shared with the community if/when any arrests are made.

You can review footage from one of these recent incidents online and if you have any information that may help the police please contact them at 202-727-9099. If you fear for your safety and would like to contact the police anonymously, you can always text tips to 50411. 

In Shared Hope for a Safer Future, 

Sydelle Moore
President, Langston Civic Association

Wednesday, August 22, 2018
4:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW
Looking for volunteer opportunities? Don’t miss Serve DC’s 4th Annual volunteer recruitment fair to empower District boys and young men of color.
​
Register online at Eventbrite

Langston's oldest neighbor Ms. Dorothy Estep turned 100 on Aug. 1st.  Ms. Estep has lived in our community for more than 70 years and "thanks god for every day." 

​Ms. Estep walks the neighborhood daily, often picking up litter along the way and sharing a kind word with neighbors. She received flowers, cards and well wishes from neighbors, the Langston Civic Association, Councilmember McDuffie and Mayor Bowser. The mayor sent an official letter congratulating her on the years she has spent dedicated to making life better for her neighbors and family.