by Steffi Carrera ’14 and Katie Mercogliano ’14

On November 17, Sherwood graduate Olijawon Griffin was fatally stabbed at Woodley Park Metro Station. What started out as a robbery ended in the death of a beloved member of the community.

Loved ones gathered on Monday, November 19 to honor Griffin’s memory with a candle light vigil. Friends, teammates, coaches, teachers and family members were in tears as they collected at the field adjacent to Montgomery General Hospital. Everybody circled around Griffin’s mother and listened to Rev. Barry Moultrie, the youth pastor at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Rockville, preach about the importance of not lashing out violently for revenge. The inspirational sermon was a lesson to the young generation about the violence that happens everywhere, and concluded with his powerful message, “This silent majority has to end—you guys have to stand up for what’s right.” The funeral service took place on November 24 at the Refuge Church.

According to the Washington Post, Griffin was held at gunpoint and robbed of several items on the night of his death, including a name-brand jacket that he had purchased with his own salary. Shortly after these items had been stolen from him, Griffin headed to Woodley Park Metro Station with his two friends to go home. Upon arriving at the station, he encountered the same group who had robbed him. Police say there were around 12 people on the platform, and one that was wearing Griffin’s jacket. Griffin realized this and approached the teens to get his jacket back, leading to an attack on one of Griffin’s friends. One police officer testified to a surveillance camera showing, the boys swarm the friend and repeatedly kick him. Initially, Griffin and the other friend ran to the station manager’s kiosk, but Griffin decided to go back and help his friend that was being beaten. While engaged in a fight with one of the teens, Griffin was stabbed in the chest by Chavez Tyrek Myers, who surprised him from behind. Myers, 17, is being charged as an adult for murder, and four of his companions also face armed robbery charges as adults. The search for three others continues as they can be seen in the footage yet have not been identified.

Griffin was an active student, participating in Rock N’ Roll Revival and playing on the football team for all of his four years at Sherwood. Coach Mike Bonavia commented on the loss. “I only had this one year with him as a senior. I thought from the time that I came from the time that we finished, saw a young man mature—as a person and a football player.” Griffin was admired and known for his dedication to the football team. Bonavia concluded his statement by saying he knew “[Griffin] was a passionate football player who wanted to make a difference on the field.” Former teammate Patrick Karngbaye 12’ described him as “a passionate, faithful, and hardworking young man who always strived to do his best.”