Neighborhood mourns lack of photojournalist Marckell Williams

By Ashleigh Fields
Special to the AFRO

Local journalists, church members and the broader group within the District are mourning the lack of 26 12 months outdated Marckell Williams, who was killed in a Jan. 7 automotive crash. 

Williams, an internationally identified photojournalist, is remembered for often capturing the essence of political, non secular and public occasions that united the broader group. At the time of his dying, he was a valued member of the Black Press and labored for Washington Informer.

“Marckell lived here in Ward 8, in Anacostia, and was an incredibly gifted and talented photographer. Over the years, I ran into him often, from teen to adulthood—and he was always the same: smiling, positive, full of God’s light,” mentioned Ward 8 Democrat Chairman Troy Donte Preswood, in a press release.

Williams was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and a graduate of the University of Miami. He held a level in public relations and a triple minor in music enterprise, Africana research and artwork with a focus in images. The United Negro College Fund Scholar served as an on campus mentor and residential assistant along with different roles in Florida earlier than transferring again to his hometown in Washington, D.C.

“Marckell was more than a talented photographer — he was a colleague and a young man with a bright future and a love for storytelling,” mentioned a press release from District Heights Commissioner Anthony Tilghman. 

“Marckell brought heart, integrity, and excellence to every assignment. As a fellow photographer, I truly enjoyed working with him and valued the conversations we shared about our craft, our journeys, and the stories we were trying to tell. He had a genuine passion for photography and for the people behind every frame,” he added.

Tilghman continued, “His loss is a painful reminder of how fragile life is, and how much impact one person can make in a short time. My thoughts and prayers are with Marckell’s family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.”

In an official assertion Omega Psi Phi Fraternity described Williams as a “gifted photojournalist, a visual storyteller whose lens captured the dignity, culture, and lived experiences of our people with care and intention.”

Others echoed the identical reward.

“Heartbroken doesn’t even begin to sum up my emotions. This young brother was a talented photographer who never hesitated to get his passport stamped. We went on several missions as a team as I wrote the articles and he took the photos,” mentioned Washington Informer author, Sam P.Ok. Collins, in a publish to his Instagram.

“Along the way, I learned about his upbringing and his vision. He was solid, without question. A life gone way too soon. We don’t belong to anyone but the Most High. Not even our parents. We don’t know the day nor the hour, so until then we stay prayed up and we give thanks for this fragile thing called life. Rest in Zion Marckell. Much love and ras-pect,” mentioned Collins.

Williams was strolling to Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, the place he was baptized a 12 months prior, when he was struck by driver Santana Matthews, who was concerned in a collision after operating a pink mild on the intersection with L and sixteenth Street.

Matthews struck a Toyota Corolla and ultimately bumped into Williams, who was handled by EMS on the scene for accidents that ultimately claimed his life. 

Three different autos had been concerned and two extra victims had been transported to native hospitals for therapy of non-life-threatening accidents.

Matthews has been charged with second-degree homicide for Williams’ dying and is at the moment being held with out bond pending a preliminary listening to scheduled for Jan. 27, based on the Justice Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Carter will lead the prosecution. 

Members of Williams’ beloved fraternity say he will certainly be missed.

“I cannot explain why bad things happen to good people. I have no answers for why this young man’s vibrant life, full of light, was cut short so suddenly and randomly. I cannot fathom the immense pain felt by his father — my fraternity brother — his younger brother, and the rest of his family. Some things are simply inexplicable,” filmmaker Byron Hurt mentioned in a press release. “Rest in peace to young Aaron Marckell Williams, Omicron Delta ‘18, the son and legacy of Anthony Maurice Williams, Gamma ‘91. May he rest in power in Omega Chapter.”