Our deepest sympathies go out to the Hylton family, especially Winnie and Patrick, owners of Taino Cove, on the horrific loss of their son/brother Salim. The following is an email I received from Salim's sister Aneka.

It is with a broken heart that I share this story of my baby brother, Moriba "Salim" Hylton. He was murdered on Saturday, August 29th on 5th and N Street NW. He was 27 years old. Salim was not a drug dealer or user.....he was an artist. He just happened to make the mistake of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Salim had just signed a contract the night before to be an Art teacher at the William E. Doar Jr. Public Charter School. He went to meet up with some friends from his "old" neighborhood to share his newest accomplishment. They were going to Adams Morgan to celebrate. Salim and his friends were standing outside laughing and talking, when two young men ran up on them and started shooting. Salim's back was turned and when he saw his friends start to run, he turned around to see what was happening, and was shot in his head two times. Someone who instinctively would not have thought to run, because he had not done anything to anyone, would suffer such an awful fate.

Myself and my brother and sister had to receive the devastating call in the middle of the night that he had been shot. We rushed to the hospital, and waited and waited to hear that he had neurological damage that was irreversible. The agony of hearing such news and then the unspeakable pain and responsibility of calling our parents in Jamaica to tell them that their youngest child had been fatally wounded. Then requesting that the hospital keep him on life support until we could arrange for our parents to be flown up from Jamaica the same day. You can not imagine the pain that our parents experienced when they saw their son.

It is an extremely difficult time for myself and my family to deal with him being taken from us in such a violent way, when Salim was such a loving and loyal person. He had graduated from Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts for Visual Arts in 2000, and later graduated in 2006 from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Media Arts. Even with talents and degrees the odds were stacked against him, but Salim was trying to persevere. He still had the heart to encourage and support others who didn't have many of the opportunities as he did. Over the years, Salim worked in various youth art programs in the city including YAPP where he even painted some of the murals you see around the city. Salim also taught Physics and Chemistry at Potomac High School in PG County...and then to finally get the opportunity to combine two of the things he loved, working with youth and his art.

It makes you wonder how a young man who had such a promising future could be killed so senselessly. This is why his story has to be told. He is not just another young black man taken without focus or direction, but he had a purpose and a heart to help others. Salim needs to be remembered and celebrated for who he truly was.

Moriba "Salim" Hylton is survived by two parents, Patrick and Winnie Hylton who own and manage a hotel in Treasure Beach, Jamaica, two sisters, Cybelle McDaniels and Aneka Hylton-Donelson, and a brother, Modibo Hylton.

There was just a small article in the Washington Post - B section about him today. If anyone has any further information about this incident, please contact Crime Solvers at 202-727-9099.

If you want to know more information about Salim and his family, please call me at 240-515-7091.

There was a candle light vigil for him last night at Duke Ellington organized by the students. There will also be another candle light vigil on Thursday, September 3rd at 5th and N Street NW, Washington DC at 7PM, organized by the community. This would be a great opportunity for you to come and hear really who Salim was.

Here are some of the awards, honors and exhibits that he has been recognized for his art work.

Awards and Honors
2001 Honorable Mention, painting submitted to the Maryland College of Art and Design Exhibit
2000 2nd Place, print of Duke Ellington submitted to the DC Superior Court Art Exhibition
2000 1st Place, painting submitted to the DC Coca Cola “Living in Harmony” Exhibition
2000 1st Place, painting submitted to US Congressional Art Exhibition

Exhibitions
2008 Black History Month Art Exhibition
2008 DC Art Gallery Exhibition
2005 “The Vibe” Magazine at Virginia Commonwealth University – Featured Artist
1999 & 2000 DC Superior Court Art Exhibition
2000 DC Coca Cola “Living in Harmony” Exhibition
1999 Futurefest Art Contest Exhibition
1997 “Black Awareness” Exhibition

To Winnie and your entire family, we offer our deepest condolences on the tragic loss of your beloved son and brother, Salim. A bright light has been extinguished well too soon. May all the good memories of him serve to bring you a measure of comfort during this exceedingly painful time.

The following is the obituary from the Washington Post.

HYLTON MORIBA KAMBUI HYLTON "Salim" Loving son of Winnifred and Attorney Patrick Hylton died on August 29, 2009 in Northwest Washington, where he was born and grew up. He was a graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Virginia Commonwealth University, where he majored in visual arts and media arts. His video "The Homeless in DC", in which he depicted the plight of the homeless men and women on Washington, DC''s streets is an eye-opener. As an exceptional visual artist, he won several awards and honorable mentions for his works. The mural at 6th and H Streets, NE remains a testimony to his artistic skills. Salim''s life was dedicated to helping the youth and preserving art. He was wise, witty and full of life, and with a remarkable sense of humor. Although he was only 27 years old, he had positively touched the lives of many people at the schools he attended, his relatives and friends, and especially the special education students at the Potomac High School in Maryland, where he worked. His life was cut short in the flower of his youth. He is survived by his parents, sisters Cybelle and Aneka, brother Modibo and a host of family members and friends. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2009 at THEARC, 1901 Alabama Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C. 20020, (202) 889-5901 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Interment will be in Jamaica.

A wake/set-up will be held in memory of Salim Hylton on Friday, September 11 starting at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Patrick and Winnie Hylton located in Pedro Plains.

The burial will be held Saturday, September 12 at 3:00 p.m. in the district of St. Mary near to the Anglican Church.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0Jwfmchc-g

The Washington Post article re this tragic incident.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/09/04/ST2009090403840.ht ml