The deadly shooting at a funeral procession Tuesday is the latest instance where the funeral of a young person killed violently in the nation’s capital begets more violence.
In November, George Rawlings was leaving a funeral for a friend when he was shot on the stairs of a Metrobus. Police said he had attended the funeral of Ashton Hunter at the Capitol Mortuary at 1425 Maryland Ave. NE. At Hunter’s funeral, witnesses heard the suspected shooters saying Rawlings had been involved in Hunter’s killing, and one witness said they should kill Rawlings, police said.
Afterward, as Rawlings was boarding a bus, three men walked up behind him, and at least two of them shot him several times in the back.
The Metrobus driver sped off with Rawlings’ leg dangling out of the door.
Rawlings was the older brother of Deonte Rawlings, the 13-year-old who was killed by D.C. police in a 2007 case that caused great tension between police and residents in Southeast Washington.
One of the deadliest shootings in decades occurred this spring on the night of a young man’s funeral.
On March 30, dozens of people were gathered on South Capitol Street and Alabama Avenue SE to commemorate the death of 20-year-old Jordan Howe when gunmen in a rented minivan drove up and opened fire. Four people were killed and at least five others were wounded.
Howe was shot in the head after being falsely accused of stealing a golden bracelet.
