Tonight, I would like to recognize a life that was taken way too soon. Kelvin Blowe. Kelvin was an ex-con who served 5 and a half years on a robbery charge. In doing so it inspired a change. Kelvin was able to come home through work release and worked a policy advocate for the DC Justice Lab, He also worked as a security guard on the side.
Blowe was shot in the 2500 block of Southern Avenue SE just before 5:30 a.m. His family stated that after a job as a private security guard in Maryland, he was driving two of his coworker’s home.According to the police, the driver of a stolen silver Lexus attempted to pass him on the left while swerving over the double yellow line as he was slowing down to turn left off Southern Avenue in a blue Chevrolet Malibu. The two cars ran into each other. Blowe approached the Lexus, and an armed driver jumped out and shot him, according to a police spokesman. It was also reported the gunman left the weapon used in the crime next to Kelvin’s body.
After being released from prison he joined the DC Justice Lab, a social justice organization, where he worked on a challenging project advocating for a revision of D.C.’s criminal code. He was committed to demolishing barriers, fighting prejudice and discrimination towards returning individuals, and assisting those who had been affected by the criminal justice system in returning to the work. Kelvin Gave testimony about his struggle in front of a judge, and sadly was never able to see that his hard work did not fall on deaf ears.
Kelvin was shot around 5am by 10am the D.C.’s historic criminal code overhaul was passed. Tonight the shooter is still in the run.
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