On January 1, 2004, at about 5:45 a.m., 16-year-old Javon Gaskins was shot and killed while a passenger in a station wagon parked in front of 354 Anacostia Road SE in Washington, D.C. Unknown individuals approached the vehicle and opened fire; Gaskins, who was in the back seat, was struck in the head. Two other youths were in the car and were not injured. The station wagon left the scene after the shooting, and one passenger later contacted police on the 3400 block of Minnesota Avenue SE.

Remembered by friends as J-rock, Gaskins was a junior at Wilson High School and participated in ROTC, with hopes of a military career. The Metropolitan Police Department’s Violent Crimes Branch is investigating; no suspects have been publicly identified and the motive remains unknown. A reward of up to $25,000 has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Does anyone who knew Javon or was in that area that morning have information that could help bring justice?