A mourner holds a painting of Makiyah Wilson at a recent candlelight vigil at Clay Terrace in Northeast. (Sam P.K. Collins/The Washington Informer)
A mourner holds a painting of Makiyah Wilson at a recent candlelight vigil at Clay Terrace in Northeast. (Sam P.K. Collins/The Washington Informer)

At the request of the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBIโ€™s Washington field office has joined their investigation of the July 16 shooting death of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson in northeast D.C.

The two law enforcement agencies are also offering a joint reward of up to $45,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of four suspects responsible for the childโ€™s death.

The reward marks a $20,000 increase to the existing $25,000 award previously announced.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and MPD, who were on scene briefing the media immediately after the shooting, have been calling for the publicโ€™s assistance in identifying those responsible.

โ€œThere are people out there who can help us bring those reckless and dangerous individuals who took Makiyah Wilsonโ€™s life to justice,โ€ Bowser said. โ€œWe need those with information about this case to share what they know, and they can do so anonymously. Our community cannot and will not tolerate the murder of a child.โ€

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call MPD at 202-727-9099 or send an anonymous tip to the departmentโ€™s text tip line at 50411. Additionally, the public can contact the FBI Washington field office at 202-278-2000 or submit a tip at https://tips.fbi.gov.

Meanwhile, Makiyahโ€™s uncle, Mike Dโ€™Angelo, is looking to spread awareness of gun violence by walking more than 130 miles to Philadelphia from D.C.

โ€œSo many kids lost their life in the District and I feel like now is the time that somebody steps up and just try to make a stand, do something legendary that the people remember no matter what [so they] can think twice about squeezing that trigger,โ€ Dโ€™Angelo told WTTG-TV (Channel 5) Monday.

This correspondent is a guest contributor to The Washington Informer.

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