The length of distance from Delacroix Avenue to Aberdeen Road stretches out for eleven blocks.
Like most other parts of the city, these eleven blocks are filled by a variety of restaurants, boutique stores, obscure mom-and-pop specialty shops, and miscellaneous ephemera.
Informal statistics indicate that the fifth block, between Nevada Street and Follner Street, is the block with the most financially successful stores. While the eighth block between Mountjoy and Essex is the lowest, due perhaps to a failed renovation bid that proved highly unpopular during Mayor Jannissey’s ill-fated “Urban Tomorrow” initiative.
Of course, the stretch from Delacroix to Aberdeen is famous, or rather infamous for the events of July 18th, 2007.
It was on that date that a foot chase occurred between five police officers and Martin Crowne, a 23- year old suspected thief resulting in the death of four civilians.
The story, as it has become known, began when David Travis an off-duty officer, spotted what he believed to be a shoplifting in progress at Cahill Records on Delacroix Avenue, committed by Crowne. Attempting to intercede, Officer Travis confronted Crowne, who ran away in response.
Travis gave chase, and called for backup. He was joined by Officer Mike Patterson at the intersection of Delacroix and Whitehall; Officers Thomas Dixon and Liam Coulter at the intersection of Delacroix and Bunton; and finally, Officer Brian Lloyd at the intersection of Delacroix and Essex.
The chase continued for the eleven blocks, with Crowne, a high school track athlete, easily staying ahead of the pursuing officers.
It was at the intersection of Delacroix and Aberdeen that one of the officers, presumably out of frustration, pulled out his gun and started firing wildly, injuring eleven bystanders, four of whom later died from their wounds.
Nobody knows whatever happened to Martin Crowne…
Pryorball. 