The home locker room at Nationals Park played host to champagne showers and lightsaber dances last night, so you know what that means: The Nats won the National League wild card game, beating the Milwaukee Brewers, 4-3, in the most thrilling fashion. City Paper’s Kelyn Soong managed to find second baseman Brian Dozier (of last week’s viral video fame) with a beer in hand, waiting for “Calma” to play.

Unfortunately, basketball fans aren’t celebrating. The Mystics lost to the Connecticut Sun in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals, 99-87, after WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne left the game due to back spasms; she will get an MRI today. Coach Mike Thibault’s post-game comments won’t make fans feel any better.

The Nats play Game 1 of the National League Division Series in Los Angeles against the Dodgers Thursday night. Game 3 of the WNBA Finals will be in Connecticut on Sunday.

THE NEWS: 

As of today, D.C. has recorded 131 homicides this year—and at least three victims were under the age of 17. Over 70 percent of those homicides involved guns.

That’s why 100 gun control advocates are visiting the Wilson Building on Wednesday afternoon. Gun violence survivors and volunteers with the D.C. chapter of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action are meeting with Mayor Muriel Bowser, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Kevin Donahue, and every councilmember to convince them to take immediate action to curb violence. 

“D.C. has passed a lot of excellent gun violence prevention legislation … but the reality is, the homicide number continues to increase—2019 is up 11 percent compared to 2018,”  says Rebecca Davis, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action. “We need a vision zero for gun violence,” she says, referencing the city’s existing plan to end traffic fatalities by 2024. 

Specifically, gun control advocates are asking for three things: 

  • The creation of a cross-agency “gun violence prevention” czar

  • Empower D.C. agencies to focus on areas that see a disproportionate amount of gun violence. 

  • Expand and improve trauma services in Wards 7 and 8, areas that currently lack a hospital with a trauma center. 

D.C. officials have been working to address gun violence. On Tuesday, Bowser and D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham announced they are authorizing paid overtime for officers in hard-hit areas. 

Davis welcomes attention paid to hot spots. “But how do we look holistically,” she says. D.C. officials should also invest in social services like counseling, and other safety measures like more cameras and street lighting, Davis says. 

Have you or someone you know been impacted by the homicides? City Paper is hoping to honor impacted families by putting together remembrances for each of those killed this year. Write us by replying to this newsletter or writing me directly. —Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? Email agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com)

MORE NEWS YOU CAN USE:

  • “Huelga!”: Dozens of janitors march for fair labor contract during rush hour. [WCP]   

  • 19-year-old Jawan Evans was killed after a collision with an SUV while operating a moped. This is the 16th traffic death in D.C. this year. [Curbed] 

  • State inspector says a coal-fired power plant on the Potomac River violates environmental regulations. [WAMU]

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • Three Eagle Bancorp board members resigned yesterday. It’s unclear whether the resignations are related to the company’s entanglement with Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans’ scandal. [WBJ]

  • The Washington Post is suing the D.C. Council for rejecting its FOIA request for records of meetings between Evans and his private business clients. [Scribd]

  • A community land trust is seeking to slow gentrification and displacement. [Post]

  • Judge extends temporary order blocking D.C.’s sports betting contract—for a little while. [NBC, Post]

  • Who let a bird into Robert White’s office? [Twitter]

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Four D.C. restaurants earned their first Michelin star yesterday. [WCP]

  • Emilie’s, from chef Kevin Tien, sets an opening date of Oct. 10. [Washingtonian]

  • The Cheesecake Factory is planning to stay open for a very long time. [WBJ]

  • Chef Johanna Hellrigl is leaving Doi Moi. [Eater]

ARTS LINKS, by Kayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Check out highlights from this year’s Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival. [WCP]

  • The Meet The Press Film Festival kicks off this weekend. [Washingtonian]

  • It’s Oktoberfest time—here’s where you can celebrate. [DCist]

  • RIP,Connie’s Girl. [Post]

SPORTS LINKS, by Kelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • “If you left early, you blew it!” a fan screamed. Here’s what Nats Park looked like during the team’s wild win over the Brewers. [WCP]

  • Elena Delle Donne’s injury casts a large shadow over the WNBA Finals. [Sports Illustrated]

  • AEW has released more tickets for tonight’s first edition of its weekly live TNT show, Dynamite. D.C. native Nyla Rosewill be one of the main stars. [Wrestling Inc.]

MAKE PLANS, by Emma Sarappo (Love this section? Get the full To Do This Week newsletter here. Tips? esarappo@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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