WASHINGTON — In D.C., there have been 2,885 violent crimes committed since Jan. 1, and 228 homicides. One of those homicides happened last month. Blake Bozeman, a former basketball player and father of three, was gunned down outside a D.C. nightclub. His father Todd Bozeman was his coach at Morgan State, and well-known in the sports world.
On Tuesday, Howard University hosted a charity basketball game against American University in Bozeman's honor. It was part of "Gun Violence Awareness Night." Funds raised from the game went to the Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative, a community-led organization supporting and empowering families in Ward 8.
Todd Bozeman and his wife Telethea were on hand, along with other members of the family. The game was secondary. It was about community. Two coaches who grew up in D.C. joining forces to help what they call family at their lowest moment.
"As a parent I could only imagine. It is heartbreaking. Todd and Blake have done so much for the basketball community. The Bozeman family in general in the D.C. area. If we can give back in some kind of way, that's an easy thing for us to do," Howard head coach Kenny Blakeney said.
Duane Simpkins, first-year head coach for American University agrees, calling Blake Bozeman's loss tragic.
"It hits home because Todd Bozeman is such a great guy. He does so much for the area with all the young men he coached, and the mentoring he's done. He's a tremendous coach and a tremendous person," Simpkins said. "Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence. At the end of the day we as a community have to wrap our arms around what this problem is. How do we handle it? It's not a single answer. It's going to take a collaborative effort from a number of people all around the city. We want to try to help out as much as we can."
Police are still searching for who is responsible for shooting and killing Blake Bozeman. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 202-727-9099.
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