In Face Of Losses, A Fight to Save Area

On April 22, 18-year-old Edwin B. Ventura, who was about to graduate from Bell Multicultural School, was shot to death near Columbia Road and Sherman Avenue while standing with friends.

A few days later, five men drove around the neighborhood shooting a gun into the air.

Police still do not know who killed Donte Manning in March 2005, when stray bullets struck the 9-year-old in the 2600 block of 13th Street.

Police have stepped up patrols in the area, only to be thwarted. Cmdr. Larry McCoy said several shootings occurred when officers were on patrol around the corner.

"They don't care," McCoy said. "They're shooting a block away."

D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) pins his hopes on commercial and retail outlets opening and eventually driving out much of the crime. In the meantime, as violent crime ebbs and flows, there is little to do but draw attention to the problem.

"We've got to call attention to it, because by calling attention we get resources," Graham said.

On Wednesday night, residents joined a vigil held on a basketball court to mourn the loss of Terry, using the memorial as an opportunity to renew their determination to curb drugs and violence.

Columbia Heights native Lamar Thompson, 23, wandered into the vigil. It vexed him that "a little young'n" was killed in his neighborhood. He took a drag on a cigarette, angry that the victim was a child.

As the candles were blown out and nearly 200 mourners headed back to their apartments, rowhouses and condos, Thompson said he suspected peaceful sentiments would not last. People seem to show their concern only when children get killed, he noted.

"Beefs are going to go on and on," he said. "The people on the street are going to forget [the vigil] and move on."

Less than one hour after the vigil ended, bullets fired from a passing car hit a man in the thigh just around the corner, at 13th and Fairmont streets.