Residents Decry Killings in Northeast

George Douglas called his father Sunday night from a bus stop on his way to his grandmother's house in Northeast. Almost three hours later, his father received a call from D.C. homicide detectives saying his 18-year-old son was found dead on CSX railroad tracks.

Douglas was the sixth of seven people killed in the city's 5th Police District in eight days.

Last night, Douglas's father addressed a packed meeting at the district station in the 1800 block of Bladensburg Road, describing the pain and frustration he has felt.

"Someone shot my son in the head and dragged him on the train tracks. . . . That man has blood on his hands. I want to see him," the father said. He asked that his name not be published because he frequents the area where his son was slain.

He said he wants police to find his son's killer before he considers taking vengeance himself.

Assistant Police Chief Diane Groomes, who was among the 75 police officers, residents and city officials at the meeting, was visibly affected by the man's words. Her eyes brimmed with tears and her voice was emotional as she told the group their cooperation, shown by their attendance, is what is needed in the tension-filled neighborhood.

"I'm glad you're upset. I'm glad you're mad. We need to fill these rooms more and more," Groomes said.

But there were no easy answers for the community's increased concern, alarm and frustration over the spasm of violence that began April 14 with a daylight shooting at North Capitol and R streets.

The cause of Douglas's death has not been announced publicly. D.C. police said an autopsy will determine that. He was found in the 2700 block of 26th Street NE about 11:45 p.m. Sunday.

Mayor Adrian Fenty (D), D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. (D-Ward 5) and other city officials have talked to police officials about the violence. "We were asked, 'What is going on?' " Groomes said. "I wish I knew. I wish we had the answers."

Police believe at least two of the homicides are related to disputes between neighborhoods in the Lincoln Avenue corridor and nearby Saratoga Avenue, said Cmdr. Lamar Greene of the 5th District. One of the homicides, the April 16 shooting of 18-year-old Darvell Stewart on Owen Place, appears to be "domestic-related," he said.

The beating death of Tonette Gail Ferguson, who was found early April 16 in an alley on Montello Avenue, was closed with an arrest of a man who lived nearby, police said.

Thomas, who was joined at last night's meeting by colleague Phil Mendelson (D-At Large), told the audience that police were not the only solution. He said that earlier yesterday he met with members of the clergy to talk about a more "holistic" approach to resolving conflicts, finding residents employment and dealing with ills that plague too many Ward 5 residents.

"We have an epidemic growing . . . at the end of the day it's a sickness in the community that we're going to have to solve," Thomas said.