MPD Officer Shot in NE; Police Searching Near Brookland and Brentwood Metro Stations

**UPDATE** The suspect, 36-year-old Dorian Maurice Ray, has been taken into custody. Ray was being served a paternity warrant when he allegedly shot 37-year-old detective Antonio Duncan, a 14-year-veteran of the Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, a U.S. marshal-led task force.

Both Fox5 and NBC4 are reporting the incident:

D.C. police said they are investigating a shooting involving an officer.

Sources told News4 the officer suffered a graze wound to his face in the 700 block of Irving Street in Northeast. There was no word on what the officer was doing when the shooting occurred.

A priest told News4 that he heard three shots and saw the officer on the ground when he went outside. The priest said he was surprised the wound wasn't more serious because it was a close-range shooting.

Police said the gunman was a black man standing 6 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, wearing blue jeans and carrying a black backpack.

The man fled down Eighth Street and was last seen running toward the Brookland Metro Station, police said. Trains were stopped as officers from D.C. police and Metro Transit Police searched the station and tracks for the shooter.

The officer was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

More from WTOP:

An intensive manhunt is underway after a D.C. Police detective was shot in a neighborhood near Catholic University, D.C. Police say.
D.C. Police say the detective was grazed on the side of his face by a bullet after a man opened fire around 1:20 p.m. Friday.

The shooting occurred in the 3100 block of 7th Street in Northeast, near Catholic and Trinity universities.

The detective is a member of the Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, a U.S. marshal-led task force.

The task force was in the area serving arrest warrants, but it's not clear whether the shooter was wanted by police or just opened fire when he saw the officers.

The suspect is still on the loose and considered armed and dangerous.

He is described as a light complexioned black man, about 36 years old with light facial hair. He is 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and weighs about 160 pounds and was carrying a black backpack.

Police say the detective is expected to be released from the hospital later Friday.

The suspect was last seen fleeing on the railroad tracks east of Catholic University, according to a message on Catholic University's Web site.

Earlier, Catholic University students in the Spellman and Conaty residence halls - the buildings closest to the shooting - were informed to stay in their buildings, but the alert has been lifted.

The university is not on lockdown and there is no evidence to suggest the gunman is anywhere near campus.

Draft Final Plan Presentation for the Brookland/CUA Small Area Metro Plan - Thursday, July 19th

What: The DC Office of Planning invites the public to view and comment on the Draft Final Plan for the Brookland/CUA Metro Station Area Plan.

When: Thursday, July 19th, 2007 - Open House 6:00-6:30pm, Presentation 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Catholic University of America, Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center, Great Room C (view campus map here)

RSVP: 202.610.0005 or rsvp@jsallc.com

Questions and additional information: Deborah Crain, Ward 5 Planner, at 202.442.7615 or deborah.crain@dc.gov. Reports are available from the Office of Planning.

Draft Concept Plan / Community Workshop # 5 for the Brookland/CUA Small Area Metro Plan - Saturday, June 23rd

What: The DC Office of Planning invites the public to participate in a community workshop on the Draft Concept Plan for the Brookland / CUA Metro Station Area Plan. There will be a public meeting in July to present the results of this meeting.

When: Saturday, June 23rd, 2007 - Open House 9:00-9:30am, Workshop 9:30-noon

Where: Catholic University of America, Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center, Great Room A (view campus map here)

RSVP: 202.610.0005 or rsvp@jsallc.com

Questions and additional information: Deborah Crain, Ward 5 Planner, at 202.442.7615 or deborah.crain@dc.gov. Reports are available from the Office of Planning.

Community Workshop #4 for the Brookland/CUA Small Area Metro Plan - Wednesday, May 16th

**UPDATE**I couldn't attend, but Ryan did. Overall, his report is positive, and it sounds like Brookland is on track - despite some naysayers - to getting sound, transit-oriented development.

What: The DC Office of Planning invites you to attend the fourth community workshop in a series for the Brookland/CUA Small Area Metro Plan where the public will review alternative design concepts and give feedback for the development of a preferred concept.

When: Wednesday, May 16th, 2007 - 6-6:30pm Open House, 6:30-9pm Workshop

Where: Noyes Elementary School, 2725 10th Street, NE (enter at Franklin Street auditorium door)

RSVP: 202.610.0005 or rsvp@jsallc.com

Questions and additional information: Deborah Crain, Ward 5 Planner, at 202.442.7615 or deborah.crain@dc.gov. You can also visit http://planning.dc.gov, and click on "Neighborhood and Revitalization Plans."

» Consultant's reports and additional information are available here.

Missing Person: James Johnson

From MPD:

The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing person identified as James Johnson, who resides in Temple Hills, Maryland.

Following a doctor’s appointment, Mr. Johnson was last seen at about noon on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 in the 1000 block of North Capitol Street, NE boarding Metrobus Number 80. Metrobus Number 80 travels northbound on North Capitol Street, NE and covers the route from North Capitol Street, NE to the area of Fort Totten, NE.

James Johnson is 69 years old. He is described as a dark complexioned black male, 5'7" tall, weighing approximately 147 pounds, with brown eyes, a grey mustache, and is bald with grey hair on the sides of his head. Reportedly, he was last seen wearing a short blue jacket, champagne colored pants, and a greenish orange colored shirt with stripes of an unkown color. He may appear to be disoriented and is in need of medication.

Anyone who has information regarding Mr. Johnson’s whereabouts is asked to call police at 202.727.9099.

Community Workshop #3 for the Brookland/CUA Metro Plan - Thursday, April 12th

What: The DC Office of Planning invites you to attend the third community workshop in a series for the Brookland/CUA Metro Small Area Plan

When: Thursday, April 12th, 2007, 6-9pm

Where: Noyes Elementary School, 2725 10th Street, NE (enter at Franklin Street auditorium door)

Agenda: This community workshop focuses on the guiding principles of the development plan for the neighborhoods surrounding the Brookland/CUA Metro station. Open House,6-6:30pm; Workshop, 6:30-9pm.

RSVP: 202.610.0005 or rsvp@jsallc.com

Questions and additional information: Deborah Crain, Ward 5 Planner, at 202.442.7615 or deborah.crain@dc.gov

Upcoming Community Workshops:
• Design Concepts - Wednesday, May 16th, 6-9pm

» Consultant's reports and additional information are available here.

Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metro Redevelopment Update

DCmud has an update on the proposed development coming to the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metro. If we're lucky, it will block the views of the Rhode Island Place (or RIP - my household's pet name) and perhaps even spur the management to take better care of it. Better yet, I hope it creates a clamor in the Ward 5 community to demand urban-style, pedestrian-friendly, dense development rather than suburban-style strip malls floating in seas of asphalt.


Images from Mid-City Urban, LLC and A&R Development, respectively, below.

Public Workshop #2 for the Brookland/CUA Metro Plan - Thursday, March 8th

I'm terribly bummed that I have a seemingly perpetual Thursday commitment and haven't been able to make it to the last few meetings....

What: The DC Office of Planning invites you to attend the second community workshop in a series for the Brookland/CUA Metro Small Area Plan

When: Thursday, March 8th, 2007, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Brookland Elementary School, 1150 Michigan Avenue, NE

Discussion topics will include:
· Neighborhood Character & Land Use
· Economic Development and Shopping
· Transportation, Connectivity, and Walkability
· Greenspace and Environmental Issues

RSVP: 202.610.0005 or rsvp@jsallc.com

Questions and additional information: Deborah Crain, Ward 5 Planner, at 202.442.7615 or deborah.crain@dc.gov

Public Workshop for the Brookland/CUA Metro Plan - Thursday, February 22nd

What: The DC Office of Planning is holding the first in a series of public workshops for the Brookland/CUA Metro Small Area Plan

When: Thursday, February 22nd, 2007, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: 204 Pryzbyla Center—The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Avenue, NE

Discussion topics will include:
· Community Assets, Issues & Opportunities
· Sustainable Design
· Transit-Oriented Development
· Land Use, Zoning, Market Economics

RSVP & Questions: Deborah Crain, Ward 5 Planner, at 202.442.7615 or deborah.crain@dc.gov

Upcoming Community Workshops:
• Urban Design and Transportation - Thursday, March 8th, 6:30-8:30pm
• Master Plan Workshop - Saturday, March 31st

Brookland/CUA Small Area Plan Community Walking Tour - Saturday, January 27th

What: Community walking tour covering the Brookland/CUA Small Area Plan site.

When: Saturday, January 27th, 10am-12pm

Where: Brookland/CUA Metro station near the underground information booth

Upcoming Community Workshops:
• Land Use and Market - Thursday, February 22nd, 6:30-8:30pm
• Urban Design and Transportation - Thursday, March 8th, 6:30-8:30pm
• Master Plan Workshop - Saturday, March 31st

For additional information please contact Ward 5 Planner Deborah Crain at 202.442.7615 or Deborah.Crain@dc.gov

First Public Meeting for Brookland/CUA Metro Station Plan - Wednesday, November 29th

What: The purpose of the meeting is to present information to the community concerning current conditions in and around the Brookland/CUA Metro Station Area.

When: Wednesday, November 29th, 2006, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Noyes Elementary School Auditorium, 2725 10th Street, NE

RSVP/Additional Info: RSVP to 202.610.0005 or rsvp@jsallc.com. For more information on the Brookland/CUA Metro Station Area Plan contact Deborah Crain with the DC Office of Planning at 202.442.7615.

At least one citizens' committee meeting has taken place - this will be the first time the rest of the community will be able attend since the charette was first proposed. Note that this is scheduled on the same evening as the upcoming ANC-5A meeting.

One Perk of Sleeping Like a Brick: Miss a Shooting Just a Block Away from Home

***UPDATES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST***

From NBC4:

Metro Officer Shoots At Car
Shooting Incident Happens During Traffic Stop

POSTED: 7:40 am EDT June 6, 2006
UPDATED: 11:00 am EDT June 6, 2006

District authorities are investigating an incident that led a Metro Transit Police officer to open fire on a vehicle early Tuesday morning.

The officer said he was heading to the bus depot on Bladensburg Road in northeast Washington around 3:30 a.m. when a car allegedly tried to run his cruiser off the road at 20th Street and South Dakota Avenue.

Slideshow: Images From Scene

Investigators said the officer pulled the car over, and it was during that traffic stop that a second vehicle allegedly tried to run him over.

Police said the officer fired three shots at the second vehicle, but it's not known if anyone was struck. The Metro Transit officer was not injured.

The second car got away, but in the first car, boxes of liquor were discovered that police believe were stolen in an overnight burglary at a liquor store in the 3900 block of 12th Street in Northeast.

The driver was taken into Metro Transit police custody as a possible suspect.

Police believe both cars were involved in the burglary.

Also see WUSA9.

Somehow I missed the end of the investigation while waiting for the bus this morning...wow. It's satisfying to see stupid crooks, though. Who else would call attention to themselves (with a trunk full of stolen liquor) by trying to run a Metro Transit cruiser off the road? Good job Mr. Metro Cop!

***UPDATES***

From WMATA (empasis mine):

Metro Transit Police arrested a Northeast D.C. man in the early morning June 6th for allegedly assaulting an officer while fleeing from the scene of a burglary. Police arrested a 23-year-old suspect after the 3:30 a.m. incident at South Dakota Avenue and 20th Street in Northeast.

A two-year veteran of the Metro Transit Police force was on duty in the 2200 block of South Dakota Avenue in a marked police vehicle when a maroon Oldsmobile approached the car and made an apparent effort to run the officer off the road. The vehicle stopped at 20th Street and South Dakota Avenue and the driver bailed out of the vehicle. The 23-year-old officer was pursuing the suspect on foot when the driver of a full size, silver colored car attempted to run over the officer. Fearing for his life, the officer fired several rounds from his service weapon at the vehicle, which sped away, said MTPD Capt. Mike Daly. The driver of the Oldsmobile then attempted to carjack a red Geo that had stopped at the scene. The officer arrested the driver after a brief struggle. The driver of the Geo left the scene. The officer was not injured.

Police later learned the Oldsmobile was stolen, and D.C. police are investigating whether the Oldsmobile and other car were involved in a nearby liquor store burglary after 3 a.m. in the 3900 block of 12 Street in Northeast. Transit police expect to charge the suspect with assaulting a police officer and stealing a vehicle. D.C. police also are expected to file charges in the case.

Police are looking for the driver of the silver colored full size car, possibly with D.C. tags and would like to speak with the driver of the Geo. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Metro Transit Police at 202-962-1792.

Also see WTOP.

This Time, Word Got Out

And this time, thank god, it looks like the victim will survive. This afternoon, 16 year old Montell Womack was hit by a stray bullet while riding home from school on the 86 bus. Right now the news reports are vague and somewhat innacurate (the robbery and shooting actually occured at 18th and Rhode Island Avenue, NE, starting at Rhode Island Liquors), but they are out there. I hope to get a Washington Post link soon. According to Womack's father, Montell had his arm up - perhaps propping his head up - and that made all the difference. The bullet went into Montell's forearm, shattering arteries and bone.

UPDATE: Here's the WaPo link - a bit more detailed than the others.

I had every intention of writing a post about the Listening Session I attended last night at the Woodridge Library; instead I am writing about another senseless crime in my neighborhood...directly across the street from the public library. While I'm aware of the apparent idealism inherent in my belief that we should be able to move about our communities safely, I am certain of my realistic incredulousness at the fact that I may now feel safer in Adams Morgan than in my own neighborhood.

Sure, I spend time in Adams Morgan, and I'd prefer to do so in relative safety, but I spend far more time at home. According to the WaPo article linked above:

A spate of crimes outside Adams Morgan clubs and bars, including two assaults in which victims were left in critical condition, has prompted police to plan greater deployment in the area of 18th Street NW, they said yesterday.

Larry McCoy, commander of the 3rd Police District, said the number of officers will grow to as many as 23, up from five to 10 on a typical Thursday, Friday or Saturday night.

McCoy said that the officers will be moved from other shifts in the 3rd District and that they will be on foot, in cars and on scooters. The officers will patrol the main strip and side streets, he said.

"We're going to get this under control and make sure people can come into Adams Morgan and not have any fear," McCoy said at a news conference organized by D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1).

Questions:

• Can anyone tell me the last time a "spate of crimes" in Districts 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 prompted an increased police deployment? This is not rhetorical or snarky, I truly want to know....Sursum Corda comes to mind. But that "crackdown" has transformed into a buyout as of late.
• How do residents in other parts of Ward 3 feel, losing as many as 18 officers on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays?
• What does it feel like to have 10 cops patrolling your neighborhood? Hell, what does it feel like when they arrive after a 311 call? I've yet to find out.
• When will the violence be under control in my neck of the woods - or yours?
• When will we, our family, our friends, and passersby "not have any fear?"

My warmest thoughts and prayers are with Montell Womack and his family.

Take this RAC and Shove It

Bitter? Perhaps. Disappointed? Absolutely. Yours truly did not make the cut for Metro's Riders' Advisory Council:

Greetings:

Thank you for your interest in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Riders' Advisory Council (RAC). We received an overwhelming number of applications, and while it was a difficult decision, our Board of Directors has selected the 21 members to serve on this inaugural Council.

We appreciate the time and effort you took to complete the application. The Riders' Advisory Council meetings will be open to the public. We welcome your participation and ideas for improving your Metro system.

Best wishes to you in your future endeavors.

Um, thank you? Though I am giving myself a firm pat on the back for applying - too often I will think about acting on a goal just long enough to watch the deadline creep past - I must admit my heart actually sank a bit (no, really, I felt something move) when I received the rejection slip e-mail.

Hell, I should just go to bed. Sleep it off....Wake up in the morning, put on some thermals, and guess when my bus is coming. This morning it didn't show up on time; 15 minutes later, two pulled up together. Yippee - a choice of how best to get to work late: old, refurbished bus or newer, "running on natural gas" bus. The bright side is that I know now I won't be fielding complaints. Oooh, I think my heart just moved back into place.

Check Out My RAC!

My guess is that Metro didn't think too much before throwing that acronym out to the public. More importantly, I'm not sure just how much strategic planning went into the creation of the Riders' Advisory Council. Of course, once I found out about the RAC - approximately 72 hours before the application deadline - I applied. While I have no doubt the initiative is flawed (Metro really wants to hear what schmucks like me have to say?), I do believe this is a baby-step in the right direction.

- - -

Then yesterday sumpnspicious happened; I received an e-mail simply entitled "Riders' Advisory Council Application":

Greetings:

Thank you for your interest in Metro's Riders' Advisory Council (RAC)! This e-mail is to confirm that we have received your RAC membership application and are in the process of reviewing it. However, in reviewing your application, it was noted that some of your information appears to be truncated/incomplete. Please take time to carefully review your application information (attached) and make any necessary changes to ensure that all of your information is captured.

NOTE: You will be given three (3) business days to re-submit the attached application with changes. If you have not replied within the allotted time, the application will go to the next stage of the screening process as is.

If you deem the application acceptable as is and no changes are necessary, you do not have to do anything. Otherwise, please REPLY to this e-mail or forward any changes to RACComments@wmata.com. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Akua K. John at (202) 962-xxxx. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and your interest in the Riders' Advisory Council.

Akua K. John
Office of Project Communications
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
600 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

Pardon? I labored for a least an entire hour on the application - two essays filled with complete sentences, not just phrases and bullet points - and now you want to tell me that my application is somehow "truncated?" After wrestling with the attached PDF for five minutes or so ("Error: The Requested File Does Not Exist"..."Error: The Requested File Does Not Exist" etc.), I realized the problem was with whatever program Metro used to transfer the responses I entered for the online form into a PDF. Not only did it cut off essays mid-paragraph, all of the apostrophes morphed into quotations marks - I'm surprised they even wanted to give an illiterate bastard like myself a chance to make amends.

Whoever is vetting the applications must have found my half-paragraphs intriguing enough to ask for the rest, no? If not, what I fear most is a fare increase due to the manpower and bandwidth expenses incurred if every applicant's answers were amputated.