Myron Jones cherishes the memory of his son’s smile, but unfortunately, he can no longer behold it. Kamal, his 21-year-old son, was fatally shot on September 26 in Southeast, D.C. Unfortunately, the case remains unsolved, adding to the list of 174 cold cases that the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has yet to solve.
“I don’t cling to false hope,” Jones expressed. “I lack confidence in the situation. Please understand that this is not meant as a criticism towards those involved, but rather a realization that there is a possibility this issue may not be resolved.”
According to police statistics, the number of unsolved murders in the nation’s capital has seen a significant rise since 2019. In that year alone, there were 519 unsolved cases, which is a sharp increase from the 68 unsolved cases reported in 2020. The growing number of homicides has directly contributed to the escalating case load.
This year, the number of homicides in the District has reached 252, the highest it has been in the past two decades. Jones expressed his belief that the individuals responsible for the crimes have found a way to evade law enforcement.
According to him, he has barely had any conversations with the police detectives handling his son’s case. This sentiment is echoed by others who have experienced the loss of a loved one in the District without any suspects being apprehended.
Carlos Haraud, the assistant chief of investigations at MPD, expressed his team’s determination to solve the cases at hand. However, he emphasized that the lack of community support poses a significant challenge. The detectives are putting in their best efforts, but they require the cooperation and assistance of the community to achieve success.
According to the speaker, no homicide case or victim is ever ignored or forgotten. He emphasizes that unlike other types of cases, homicide cases are never suspended.
According to Haraud, one of the challenges faced is staffing. Currently, the District only has 50 homicide detectives to handle the increasing number of murders within the city.
“It’s no secret that we are facing a shortage of officers, and this is something that is felt by all units within the department,” he acknowledged. “However, it’s worth noting that our detectives are putting in extraordinary effort, working well beyond their designated 40-hour workweek to tackle these cases.”
Natalia Mitchell, who tragically lost her 36-year-old son Morris to gun violence in March 2022, is one of the many grieving families affected by the surge in unsolved cases. Despite the devastating loss, she shared that she hasn’t had any communication with a homicide detective in months.
Mitchell, who frequently dons a sweatshirt featuring her son’s image, expressed the profound impact it has had on her. “It affects me deeply,” she revealed. “I long for closure for myself and my family, as well as justice for him.”
Jones is currently anticipating his son’s upcoming birthday in February, which serves as a reminder of the tremendous grief he experiences over his tragic passing.
Jones expressed his desire for justice for his son, emphasizing his skepticism due to the limited resources available to the MPD for solving Kamal’s murder.
“The detective emphasized that these types of cases pose significant challenges in terms of solving them,” he shared. “And based on my experience, I wholeheartedly agree with him.”
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