Downtowner News: Police Shooting, Vaccine Sites, Bicyclist Killed, Cicadas
By • May 3, 2021 0 944
Downtowner updates for April and May
D.C. Man Shot and Killed by Police
A Metropolitan Police Department officer fatally shot Terrance Maurice Parker, 36, a Black man, last Friday night. Police have released body cam footage of the incident, which happened when officers responded to a domestic dispute. Officers were called to a home along the 1100 block of 4th St. NW around 9 p.m. According to MPD, officers were interviewing Parker and another woman when Parker pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the woman and one of the officers.
Walk-Up Vaccine Sites Launched May 1
12 days ago, D.C. launched walk-up vaccination sites for residents and workers to get their first dosage of their COVID vaccine, no appointment necessary. Walk-up vaccines are available at around a dozen sites throughout eight wards of the city. Some of the sites include Arena Stage, UDC and the Kenilworth Rec Center. Each site will be offering either the two-dose Moderna and Pfizer or the one dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Residents Skipping Second Vaccine
According to Dr. Ankoor Shah, a senior DC Health official, around 13 percent of those in D.C. have skipped their second Pfizer or Moderna shot. That number is higher than the eight percent of Americans throughout the country who missed second vaccine appointments, according to the Center for Disease Control. WTOP reported that as of the end of April, 20 percent of the District’s population has been fully vaccinated, compared to 30 percent nationally.
Where Are the Cicadas? There’s an App for That.
By now you’ve probably heard of the great cicada invasion that is about to hit the region. Well, if you need to know where the cicadas are in your area, there’s an app for that! The “Cicada Safari” lets users see where cicadas are popping up, all in real time. According to the Washingtonian, the app asks users to snap photos of cicadas when they spot them to track cicada diversity. As of late April, most sightings have been in Arlington, Great Falls, Rockville and Silver Spring.
Metro Maintenance Vehicle Derails, No One Hurt
A Metrorail maintenance machine derailed just after midnight outside the Farragut West station, according to a WMATA spokeswoman. The incident, which occurred in early April, is currently under investigation and occurred approximately an hour after Metro shut down for the evening. No one was hurt and no passenger trains were affected, according to the Washington Post.
Bicyclist Killed in Mass Ave. Crash
A bicyclist was killed April 9 in a crash on Massachusetts Avenue. NW. Fox 5 reported that the crash involved a Capital Bikeshare bike along with at least five other vehicles. Three others hurt were taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Police have identified the bicyclist as 29-year-old Jim Pagels, who had previously tweeted about the dangers of city biking. A Georgetown University grad, Pagels was a self-proclaimed urbanist and was in a second year of a doctorate program in economics.
Metro to Stay Open for Sporting Events that End Late
Speaking of Metro, it was also announced recently that fans who visit stadiums and arenas who have allowed them back into their facilities as the pandemic winds down will be able to take the transit system home. Metro is staying open 30 minutes after the end of a game that goes beyond its usual 11 p.m. closing time. Only stations near venues will remain open and other stations will allow riders to exit only at their home station. Two years ago, the rail system ran a similar program when the Nationals were in the World Series.
Ritz Carlton in West End Reopens
The Ritz Carlton, Washington, DC at 1150 22nd St. NW has reopened. The West End hotel, within walking distance to Georgetown’s restaurants and retail, is launching a “Family Celebration Package,” in honor of offering families and friends the opportunity to reconnect post-COVID. The package invites guests to enjoy a private luxury gathering, blocking rooms on the same floor. The Ritz Carlton has also recently welcomed Bradley Cance as the new General Manager at the property.
FedEx Field Pitched for World Cup
DC2026, the organization leading D.C.’s official bid to be a host city for the FIFA World Cup five years from now, made its pitch in the first of a series of virtual meetings with FIFA and U.S. Soccer officials. DC2026 board members include Events DC President and CEO Gregory O’Dell and representatives from the Washington Football Team and FedEx Field.
Dupont Underground Renews Lease
Nonprofit arts organization Dupont Underground has renewed its lease with D.C., securing eight more years in its below-ground space. In November of 2019, former CEO Robert Meins, citing unsuccessful attempts to negotiate a lease extension, announced that the venue could potentially close. He called the renewal a “brilliant outcome” of a “long, hard-fought battle.”
Lyle Hotel Opens
Speaking of Dupont Circle, a new independent hotel opened nearby on April 15. The Lyle is the second U.S. property from the international hospitality company Lore Group. Located at 1731 New Hampshire Ave. NW, it originally housed apartments. Lore Group wanted to create a sense of calm, comfort and luxury while paying homage to the building’s art deco features.
Lime Adds Its Mopeds to Revel’s
It seems mopeds are all the rage in D.C. these days. After receiving approval from the District Department of Transportation, the e-scooter and e-bike company Lime has brought more mopeds to the District. Another moped operator, Revel, was already offering the rides here. DDOT, which launched the pilot program for mopeds in 2019, extended it through this December.
AU Campus Plan Criticized
Going big for its 10-year plan, American University hopes to construct a sound-barrier wall, two dorms and an athletic center. Submitted last December, the plan, championed as student-focused and the result of a community-wide consensus, has drawn criticism from both the student body and area residents. Thomas Smith of the Spring Valley Wesley Heights Citizens Association called it a consensus of the “like-minded” people the school chose to participate.
Teens Charged in Fatal Carjacking
Mohammad Anwar, 66, was killed after he was thrown from his vehicle during a carjacking on March 23. Two teenaged girls, aged 13 and 15, have been charged with felony murder after they assaulted Anwar, a Pakistani immigrant, with a Taser, which led to the accident. The crash happened in the 1200 block of Van Street SE. Both teens are from Maryland.
