Rashawn Wright

A late-night burst of gunfire on a Thursday in Southeast Washington, D.C., ended the life of Rashawn Lewis Wright, a 25-year-old Black man from the area. The shooting occurred at approximately 10:26 p.m. on June 9, 2016, in the 900 block of Varney Street, SE, a residential road in the Washington Highlands neighborhood. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Seventh District responded to reports of gunshots and found Rashawn suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital, but his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead.

The initial investigation was taken over by the MPD's Homicide Branch, which began to piece together the events of that night. In the immediate aftermath, police did not release any information about a potential motive or suspects. The neighborhood, a community of brick apartment buildings and single-family homes, was shaken by the violence. Varney Street is just a few blocks from the large Oxon Run National Parkway, a green space that runs through the area.

In the years following Rashawn’s death, the path to justice has been painful and complicated for his family. According to Rashawn’s sister-in-law, Sade Wright, the case did lead to a murder trial. The experience of sitting in court and seeing the accused ultimately acquitted was a devastating blow to the family. "I had to sit at his murder trial and watch the murderers get off," Sade recalled in a 2021 interview. This outcome, she explained, was a catalyst for her and Rashawn's brother, Duane Wright, to take action against the violence affecting their community.

The profound loss and the frustrating conclusion in court spurred the family to create the Wright Way Foundation. Fueled by their grief, they dedicated themselves to helping other families who have lost loved ones to homicide in the District. The foundation organizes tributes for victims, provides support to grieving families, and works to broker peace within the community. Through their activism, they hope to prevent others from experiencing the same heartbreak that has marked their lives since that June night.

The work of the Wright family highlights the deep and lasting trauma that ripples through a community after a homicide. Their efforts to create something positive from their pain is a testament to their love for Rashawn and their desire for a safer city. They have organized food programs, toy drives, and other community events aimed at building stronger, more peaceful neighborhoods.

Despite the family's account of a trial and acquittal, the official status of Rashawn Wright's case remains open. As of January 2021, the Metropolitan Police Department continues to list his murder as a major unsolved case. The department offers a reward of up to $25,000 for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for his death. This discrepancy leaves lingering questions about the legal proceedings and the current state of the investigation.

For a family left without answers from the justice system, the search for closure continues. Anyone with information about the murder of Rashawn Lewis Wright is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to the department's text tip line by sending a message to 50411.