Arrest: [alleged] Serial Killer of Homeless (DC, NY) | Squat the Planet

Arrest: [alleged] Serial Killer of Homeless (DC, NY)

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[As reported in the New York Times, with some edits, rewordings, condensations, and rearranging of the order of information]:

Gerald Brevard III (30, DC, history of assault charges and mental illness) was arrested around 2:30 a.m. in Southeast DC by agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. A firearm was not yet recovered.


The man shot three men sleeping outdoors in DC, between March 3 and March 9, and two men in Lower Manhattan (NYC) on March 12. One victim in each city died. The first three attacks were in Northeast DC. One man was shot on March 3, and one man was shot on March 8. On March 9, a man was fatally shot and stabbed; his tent was set on fire. In Manhattan, early on March 12, two men were shot (one fatally). In each of the shootings, a lone gunman, dressed in dark clothing, targeted homeless men, between midnight and dawn. Ballistics analysis confirmed on Sunday that the same gun was used in all five shootings, according to the A.T.F.

The police have not released the names of the victims, about **WHOM** few details are known. NYT original wording: "about which" -- apparently, to the prestigious Times, homeless people are objects ('which'), not persons ('whom'). I think it's really important to note that.

Brevard has a record of misdemeanors and felonies in DC & Northern Virginia, including several charges of assault. In 2019, Brevard was found mentally incompetent, after a court-ordered examination, and was temporarily committed to Saint Elizabeths Hospital (a psychiatric hospital operated by the city’s Department of Behavioral Health).

Mr. Brevard’s father extended condolences to the victims and their families. He said his son suffered from mental illness and that, despite many encounters with the criminal justice system, his son's illness still had not been addressed, showing “how the system has failed regarding the treatment of so many.”

“I cannot speak to the details of the case... I can only speak to the issue of the failure of the judicial system identifying that my son suffers from mental illness but not treating it.”

The shootings occurred several weeks into a campaign by NYC's mayor, Eric Adams, that aims to further displace the homeless people who shelter in the subway system (because current congregate barracks 'shelters' suck that badly). Advocates for homeless people had warned that that would push many people to the street, because 'shelters' suck that badly.

In interviews in both cities (before the arrest), several homeless people said they were unnerved by the attacks, but not enough to move indoors, because current barracks 'shelters' suck that badly.

“Listen, the streets are dangerous,” said Marty Mercer (51, tent, makeshift campground, Union Station, DC). “Just because someone is doing this on a serial basis is no different.”

After the suspect's arrest, Gregory Hammett, (62, disabled, homeless, veteran, DC) said he was slightly relieved but still fearful for his safety. “You have to be out there to understand that on any given night, things change so fast, and you can end up with a world of hurt ... If you’re out there, you never know when someone is going to come at you, maybe to rob you or bonk you on the head".

NY mayor said, because of all the fine l.e. and homed public, "... those experiencing homelessness can breathe a sigh of relief today.”. -- Back to the luxuries of the good life, y'all!

original article, New York Times (paywall)

Tried adding tags, but error box is popping up: #DC #NYC #serialkiller #arrest #shooting #stabbing #fire #homelessness #gunviolence, etc.

May we all be safe, may the wounded recover, may the dead rest in peace, may those who mourn be comforted, and may all in need receive the help they need. ~peace.
 
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