DC reentry office loses director, 50, in scooter crash

Talib Shakir, 50, director of the Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizen’s Affairs, died Friday after two electric scooters collided in Ward 6’s Capitol Hill area, police said.

The crash matters for residents who use or share streets with scooters, bikes and cars. City data showed 33 traffic deaths from Jan. 1 through Oct.

10, including at least one involving someone on a scooter; it was unclear whether Shakir’s death was included.

Police said the collision happened around 6:45 p.m. at 8th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Shakir and the woman riding the other scooter were taken to a hospital, where Shakir was pronounced dead; the woman was released.

Shakir led the DC office that helps people return to the community after prison. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a statement, “Talib was committed to creating opportunity for DC residents.”

Bowser said Shakir’s work reflected the purpose of MORCA, the returning citizens office. “In Talib’s own words, his mission at MORCA was clear: ensure returning citizens feel connected, valued, and included in DC’s future,” she said.

The DC Council also issued a statement mourning Shakir, calling him “a dedicated public servant who was tackling one of the most critical and challenging jobs in government.” The Council added, “What a terrible tragedy.”

Shakir’s work in reentry was linked to his own history. At age 17, he admitted to fatally shooting a DC convenience store worker and served 26 years in prison for the crime.

Steve Blair, a friend of Shakir, said he met him when Shakir lived at the Camelot Center in Lake Placid, New York, a residential center for troubled youth where Blair worked. Blair said he stayed in contact with Shakir during prison and remained close to him after his release.

“I haven’t really wrapped my head around it yet. I’m absolutely devastated that he’s dead,” Blair said.

Blair said Shakir took responsibility for the killing and changed while incarcerated. “His awakening to being a person who cares about other people and puts others in front of himself evolved in prison of all places,” Blair said.

Blair described Shakir as proud of his city work and committed to making amends through service. “He really wanted to do something in the world with himself in a positive way,” Blair said.

The crash has renewed attention on electric scooters around the Pennsylvania Avenue SE corridor. Sam Tanner, who lives near the intersection, said scooters and shared bikes are a regular presence there.

“This area here, you see someone riding a Lime bike, you’ll see someone riding by on a scooter all the time,” Tanner said.

Police have not said what caused the scooters to collide. The available police account did not include a determination of fault, whether speed or street conditions were factors, or whether any enforcement action would follow.

Tanner said the death should prompt a review of safety rules. “Hopefully we can learn from something like this,” he said. “Maybe we have to add more rules and restrictions on scooters just to help out or something.”

The next step rests with the police investigation into the 8th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue SE collision and any city response to the scooter-safety concerns raised after Shakir’s death.

Source: Metropolitan Police Department account and statements from Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Council, Oct. 12.