Vigil set for Northwest Branch Trail after stabbing death

WASHINGTON — The Northwest Branch Trail is supposed to be a pleasant hiker-biker trail, but after a brutal murder last week, two civic groups say gang violence has made it dangerous.

A man later identified as 19-year-old Akinley Osafa Warner died after a stabbing on the Northwest Branch Trail on May 10.

The Maryland-National Capital Park Police said officers responded to a call at about 11:30 p.m. about a man lying unconscious on the ground near the 1500 block of Quebec Street in Langley Park.

They found Warner suffering from stab wounds to his upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Prince George’s County NAACP and CASA of Maryland are calling on the Langley Park community to improve safety on the trail.

Warner’s death on the Northwest Branch Trail, said to be gang-related, has the organizations working fight against gang violence, too.

On Monday night, a vigil will be held beginning at 7 p.m. at the CASA of Maryland offices in Langley Park.

Three middle school students were arrested following the stabbing death.

Prince George’s County Police and the Maryland-National Capital Park Police are investigating Warner’s death.

WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.

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