WASHINGTON -- He was a recent graduate. He was getting ready for college.
Those are the words of a D.C. neighborhood commissioner describing one of the District’s latest homicide victims, 20-year-old Randall Francis.
The District has now seen at least 149 homicides this year.
That number was at 105 around this same time last year.
Kathy Henderson, ANC 5D, is mad. She talked with family on Monday and says the 20-year-old lost his life over a petty dispute.
“We have to change the paradigm here. And the paradigm here is one of chaos. One of anything goes and we can do that – that’s why the person who committed those heinous shootings yesterday felt free to come here in broad daylight, 2 o’clock in the afternoon and shoot someone because this area is known for chaos,” said Henderson.
On Monday night, the ANC 5D leader sent an email calling on Ward 6 Council member Charles Allen to introduce emergency legislation. She wants police to be able to clear a block or corner if people are engaging in illegal activity.
“We’re not asking for sweeping violations of anyone’s rights. We’re asking to protect our rights. The Community has a right to feel safe,” added Henderson.
When asked to clarify what she wants, Henderson called for a broadening of incommoding legislation.
There’s a law in D.C. that makes it illegal to block, crowd or obstruct streets, highways, building entrances and so forth.
Henderson wants police to use this law when certain groups gather on Benning Road, Northeast.
“Typically when police leave, when there’s a police break or a restroom break or a lunch break or when there’s a shift change, then there’s individuals selling loose change and drugs – you know, they create a perpetual, chaotic environment here for the law abiding citizens who come in to use these businesses,” said Henderson.
ANC 7C Commissioner Anthony Green couldn't be more against this.
“You can’t characterize everyone that’s on the corner as being involved in the violent conflict. If you’re going around shooting up everybody, most likely you’re not standing on the corner all day every day,” said Green.
Green is the one who accused police planting an undercover officer on Sheriff Road so they could conduct what he called an illegal stop and frisk over the summer summer. The video from it went viral.
Since then, the ACLU and judges have been involved.
That is somewhat of an example of what Henderson wants.
Green says there is one area where he agrees with Henderson. They both want leaders to walk the streets and engage with young people more. Not just tell youths what they should be doing.
In a previous interview, Councilman Allen discussed a city-wide effort to try and stop arguments before they escalate as a way to curb violence.
“RV [Francis Randall] we love you and you know … just watch over everybody man and we just going to keep praying for the family,” said Mo Harris, a close friend of Monday’s victim.
WUSA 9 saw Harris drowning in tears. She bent down to touch the day-old blood still on the sidewalk on Tuesday. She and two others left flowers, Christmas Poinsettias, at the site where Francis was gunned-down.
Harris tells WUSA 9 the 20-year-old killed on Benning Rd. NE was a rapper - he loved music. His close friends also say he was a very talented photographer.
DCPS confirmed Randall Francis was a graduate of Eastern HS.
Francis was actually one of two people shot at the 1800 block of Benning Road, Northeast. A second male was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Francis had "no signs consistent with life" when first responders arrived.
"That’s just one – one more person that’s not out here that’s supposed to still be out here,” said Harris, “This one hit home definitely. And whoever out there who know something, they need to say something.”
Police Department Cadets returned to the scene on Tuesday. They swept the neighborhood for witnesses.
