Snow fails to slow DC homicides in 2019

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - The most significant snowstorm of the season didn't stop deadly gun violence in the District this weekend.

Three people were killed in two separate shootings.

- Alexis Washington, 23
- Zyair Bradley, 20
- Michael Taylor, 22

In just the first two weeks of 2019, the District has seen 11 homicides. As the count continues to surge, families want you to see some of the faces behind the numbers.

Sean Mack, whose niece, Alexis Washington, was among those killed, mourned her death Monday night.

"She had an infectious personality about herself. People wanted to be around her," he said.

Just after 1 a.m. Sunday, Alexis was found shot inside a car on Forrester Street Southwest.

She was with her co-worker, Zyair Bradley, who lived on that block. He was also shot and killed. No arrest has been made and family said they don't know what the motive could've been. They said Alexis left home Saturday night to attend a party.

"The last thing I said to her was, 'Be careful,'" said another uncle, Mike Long. "I was thinking in terms of the snow. I wasn't thinking I wouldn't see her again."

Alexis leaves behind a 3-year-old son.

"Trying to explain to little Zion where his mom is, and that his mom isn't coming back is probably our biggest challenge," Mack said.

Zyair's mother says it still doesn't seem real that her son won't be coming home.

"Right now it's so emotional. It's up, it's down, it's all over the place. It feels like, at times, I'm having a heart attack," India Bradley said.

She says her son was "the best dancer in the world" and was very close to his two sisters and brother.
On Saturday afternoon, Michael Taylor was shot and killed on Benning Road Northeast.

His family remembers him as loving and respectful and said he worked two jobs.

His two friends were shot also, but they survived. There have been no arrests.

The families say this has to change.

"There's a lot I would like to say. I think there should be better programs out here for our youth," India Bradley said.

"We can't just talk about you got to invest money. You got to invest time, you got to invest resources in young people in this city," Mack said.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and Chief Peter Newsham are scheduled to be on FOX 5 Morning on Wednesday to talk about this surge in homicides.