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'He was always helping people' | Loved ones mourn beloved boxing coach killed outside his DC home

Police are still searching for those responsible for the death of Arthur "Buddy" Harrison. They believe there are three suspects and that the shooting wasn't random.

WASHINGTON — Family and friends are in pain as police search for the people responsible for the death of a Southeast D.C. man named Arthur "Buddy" Harrison.

The 62-year-old was shot to death outside of his home in the Hillcrest Community, in the 2700 Block of 30th Street. Investigators said they got a call just after 11:30 a.m. Harrison was transported to a local hospital, where he was ultimately pronounced dead.

They believe he was targeted by three men and that the shooting was not random.

Police say they are on the lookout for a car, pictured below, that they describe as a white Kia Optima sedan with an Ohio license plate and number JAU 3816.

Credit: DC Police

WUSA9 reported on Harrison previously in 2018, sharing his mission of donating to the homeless weekly. 

One man named Larry told WUSA9 in 2018 that he had been sleeping on the streets for 20 years. He expressed his appreciation at the time for Harrison coming out every week to hand out hundreds of pieces of clothes to those in need.

“It’s the greatest thing in the world, just the greatest thing in the world,” said Larry.

Harrison said at the time he did it because he knew what it was like to have nothing.

“I’m one of them, I’m no better. I’m like them, I just got lucky,” said Harrison.

RELATED: ‘I’m one of them, I’m no better’: Local man donates to the homeless every week

Harrison's brother told WUSA9 that he had a troubled past, but after spending 10 years in prison - Harrison previously told WUSA9 he'd been convicted of armed robbery - he was determined to turn his life around. 

Friends say they can't imagine why someone would want to hurt the former boxer who helped guide young people, teaching them to resolve conflict without weapons. 

“He also has a boxing gym. His son is a boxer . . . When you take a person and do something to a person like that, it affects a whole community as you see,” said Alvin Deese, who said he was Harrison's friend. 

Harrison spent many days running Old School Boxing, inside a modest building in the parking lot of the Rosecroft Raceway, where hundreds came to box. 

Deese hopes the shooters are caught quickly and realizes there’s no honor in gunning anyone down. He's heartbroken and frustrated with the growing violence across the city. 

“There’s no shame in wanting different; being against, you know, waving that gangster flag. Those days are gone. There's no honor and pride in being a gangster.”

Anyone with information can reach out to DC Police by calling (202) 727-9099 or texting them on their tip line at 50411.  

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