A Community Celebration Turns Tragic

On the evening of September 17, 2016, the tight-knit community of Southeast Washington, D.C., gathered for the annual Dorsey Day celebration on the 2600 block of Birney Place SE. This event, honoring a beloved resident known for his community spirit, featured food, drinks, and a moon bounce for children. The festive atmosphere was shattered around 8:20 p.m. when gunfire erupted, leading to chaos and despair.

The Victims: Lives Interrupted

The shooting claimed the lives of two individuals: 18-year-old Zoruan Otto Harris and 31-year-old Scorpio-Rodney Alonzo Phillips. Harris, a recent graduate of National Collegiate Preparatory Public Charter High School, was a young father with aspirations of starting college in January. Phillips was remembered by his family as a generous person, always willing to help others. Seven additional victims, including an 8-year-old boy and two women, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. ...Read More