Three family members killed in DC since 2011

DC, DC – It’s been a rough few years for the Robersons.

On Saturday, June 1, Gary Roberson was shot and killed on Atlantic Street in Southeast.

His brother, Maurice Roberson, said it happened near their mother’s house.

“It happened in front of her house. She heard a lot of gunshots and her maternal instinct kicked in. She went outside and saw him lying there. She ran and sprinted over,” said Maurice Roberson.

He told WUSA9 that his brother was nicknamed “Choo Choo.”

“The story is that when he was a little boy he was always running after trains,” he said with a smile on his face.

“Choo Choo was a man full of energy. He was the life of the party, and when I say life of the party, I mean life of the party,” Maurice Roberson said of his older brother.

Gary is the third sibling he has lost since 2012.

In October, his sister A’nee Roberson, a transgender woman, was killed near the intersection of U Street and 9th Street in Northwest.

According to police, she was attacked around 4 a.m. and ended up on the street, where she was hit by the driver of a passing car and died.

The driver of the car that struck Roberson remained at the scene. Police said the driver was not involved in the initial strike, which investigators say caused Roberson to end up in the roadway.

A few weeks later, a candlelight vigil was held at the intersection where she was killed.

“Say her name! A Roberson!” the people chanted.

In October, police released video and images of a “person of interest.” On Saturday, Washington DC police told WUSA9 that there were no updates on the case and that no arrests had been made.

Police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Detective Sean Rutter at 202-657-3102 or Detective Sidney Catlett at 202-302-9651. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-727-9099 or by texting the tip line at 50411.

Maurice Roberson says it feels like his family just can’t catch a break. He told WUSA9 that his youngest sister, Rose, was killed in a car accident in 2011.

“She was brutally pursued in a vehicle that crashed on Southern Avenue and burst into flames,” said Maurice Roberson.

“I mean, to be honest, I cried like a baby,” he explained.

He told WUSA9 that he and his family love DC, but feel something needs to change.

“More needs to be done to address the conditions that make lethal force a viable option for people,” said Maurice Roberson.

He says it is his faith and that of his family that helps them keep going.

“For some reason it’s not getting easier, but my faith tells me that soon the path will be clear and everything will be better,” he said.

RELATED TOPICS: “Say her name!” | Vigil held in memory of transgender woman A’nee Roberson killed in Washington

RELATED: Two women killed in fiery crash on Southern Avenue

RELATED: 9+ LGBTQ+ Resources You Probably Didn’t Know About in the DMV

Do you have a news tip about this or another story? We want to hear from you. Share your tip with us by email: [email protected].

DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 news about Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android

HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE

ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or search for WUSA9.

For Apple TV and Fire TV, search for “WUSA9” to find the free app that you can add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.

SIGN UP FOR THE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our WUSA9 Daily Newsletter and get WUSA9’s top news stories curated just for you every day. Get content and information on must-read news, Commanders content, weather and more delivered straight to your inbox now.