In the late evening hours of Saturday, September 12, 2009, the life of a young Washington, D.C. teenager was tragically cut short. Antonio Benard Ward, a 16-year-old African-American male, was in the 5000 block of Just Street, NE, when gunfire shattered the night's calm at approximately 9:27 p.m. When officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrived at the scene in response to the reports of gunshots, they discovered the young man suffering from fatal gunshot wounds. Despite the immediate response, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Known to his loved ones as 'Roc,' Antonio was the beloved son of Pamela Short Stove and the late Steve Antonio Ward. His death left a void in his family, which included a sister and a brother.
In the days that followed, his family gathered with friends and community members to mourn their profound loss, remembering a life that had just begun.
The investigation into Antonio's murder was taken on by the Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch. Detectives have been actively seeking information to piece together the events that led to his death. However, the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain a mystery. To date, the case is still unsolved, and no suspects have been publicly identified or arrested in connection with the homicide.
In an effort to bring justice for Antonio and his family, the Metropolitan Police Department has repeatedly appealed to the public for assistance. They have emphasized that community cooperation is crucial to advancing the investigation and have urged anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information to come forward. A reward of up to $25,000 has been offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for his death. Despite these efforts, the case remains an open and active investigation, with officials still hopeful that new leads will emerge.
