Another Loss: Roberto Duncanson
13 May
Today I received a troubling email from a friend at the Rashawn Brazell Memorial Fund. They received and email from someone who knew Roberto Duncanson, who the writer of the email says people in the Black gay community knew as Pancho. I won’t publish the name of the writer of the email since I don’t have his permission, but he does say he wants to get the word out, so I thought this would be a good place to start. The email states:
A young man that I knew named “Pancho” (or “Poncho”) and his friend were confronted by one or more men in Brooklyn who had called one of both of them “faggot.” I believe this took place on St. Marks Avenue near New York Avenue from what has been relayed to me and from a short clip that I found in Sunday’s NY Daily News (page 15 in the “NY Minute” section). The confrontation resulted in the young man being stabbed and he died. He was only 20 years old. I’ve confirmed the story with a mutual friend who got the news Friday night while we were out together.
I went out a bought a copy of the Sunday edition of the NY Daily News to find the story, and it reads as follows:
Wanted Man in fatal fight
A 20-YEAR-OLD man was stabbed to death early yesterday during a fight in Brooklyn. Roberto Duncanson who had a warrant out for his arrest, was knifed on St. Marks Place in Crown Heights, a few blocks from his home . Paramedics found him on the sidewalk and took him to Kings County Hospital, where he died.
Robert F. Moore
I hate it when news organizations do this bullshit. What does the fact that he had a warrant for his arrest have to do with anything? Nor do we know if the warrant was for unpaid parking tickets or mass murder-the latter I highly doubt. Why do they need to say that? Does his death not count, or is somehow justified because he had a warrant? They did they same shit with Brazell.
In any case, I don’t know what else to do about the gratuitous violence in our neighborhoods anymore. Vigils aren’t solving the problem. Neither are rewards from CrimeStoppers. Nor is telling people to Stop Snitching. Nor is HIV/AIDS prevention money.
Enough complaining. If you or someone you know has more information about what happened, please leave a not here, and I will forward it to his friend.
Tags: gay murders, homophobia, rahsawn brazell, roberto duncanson
Thank you for sharing the story…just as with brazell’s ordeal…the police, and the media fall short in relaying the facts and informing the people…yet they never miss a beat on slandering the person who many are grieving for. L and I ( S) live in DC and only got wind of bits and pieces of the tragedy…no one is sure of anything except that he was stabbed, and that there is a warrant out for him…funny how our media will investigate the bloody hell out of a lost college co-ed…that in reality had a little too much to drink and decided to go for a mid-night run to ANYWHERE…but spend only half a min to get the dirt on someone who unfortunately didnt even get to make his 21st birthday…yea the location/identification of the person(s) who assulted and lead to his death are being “investigated” but How fast and reliable are the people that are looking?? considering not even after they shared his name, they mention he had a warrant out for his arrest…this is most certainly a HATE CRIME…so much for being BLACK GAY and MALE in AMERICA!!…
In memory of Pancho…baby We will never forget…we wont stop trying!
RIP PANCHO. I ONLY MET YOU ONCE, BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU WAS NOT DESERVED. I DO HOPE THEY FIND WHO DID THIS TO YOU. MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR FRIENDS. PE2CE
I agree, Mr. Farrow… What does a warrent have to do with the fact that this young brother was murdered?…
When incidents such as this garner only tiny blurbs deep within the recesses of a “NY Minute,” I’m left believing the curious choice to make a note of a warrant is done so to devalue the life of the victim. Why?… Most likely to assuage the guilt of not caring enough about a human life (due to race and/or sexual identity) to put forward a proper effort to do justice to the story by giving it both the compassion and coverage time, space, and location it truly deserves…
So, to make someone feel better about their journalistic — and human — negligence, a subtle implication of thuggish impropriety is dropped into the mix.
On sunday,may 20th wake 4 roberto duncanson a.k.a Pancho will be held at:New Haven 7 day adventist church 634 prospect pl. bklyn ny
the viewing will be held from 4pm to 7pm,the service will follow therafter
god bless.
roberto duncanson, we all miss u a whole lot and we will never forget u. U always will be in my heart always. U made us laugh, and u were a nice respectful person.
Love always,
rebecca
hi gorgeous i miss you so much and i dont know how to handle .you are my best friend and you are were there whenever i needed you for any thing you will allways be in my heart and everyone elses. your crew chyna, ardith,tiff,marylou,venice,sasha,natalia, keisha and other that were close to you. we love you .
love your one and only chyna.
Thanks Kenyon for posting this. When I first moved to Brooklyn I lived on the block Pancho was killed on. Pancho, Rashawn, Michael, Sakia, the list is already too long and I can keep on going. I agree with Kenyon that vigils and crimestoppers aren’t going to stop this. Its about all of us coming together to change a culture that says that our lives are worthless. We have to prevent violence before it starts and respond once it happens. I work at the Audre Lorde Project on a program called the SAFE OUTside the System Collective. We’re a bunch of LGBT people of color in Brooklyn who meet twice a month to create strategies to challenge hate and police violence. We had an emergency meeting on Tuesday night and several volunteers and I are available to support family and friends of Pancho in whatever way we can. Please feel free to call me (718) 596-0342 x22. Also please join us. We’re starting a campaign to reduce homophobia and transphobia in Brooklyn. We’re going to start asking businesses, schools, churches, restaurants, etc. to become safe spaces for our community. We need all of the help that we can get. Justice for Pancho and everyone else we have lost too soon!
DAMN BERTO REST IN PEACE BABY. WE ALL MISS YOU SO MUCH WICHA CRAZY AZZ. ITS SO IRRELEVANT FOR THE WARRANT TO BE MENTIONED. IT WAS FROM A TICKET FOR BEING IN THE PARK AFTER DARK… SOMETHING SO STUPID YET THEY FELT THEY HAD TO WRITE IT IN THE PAPER.
SARA
Hey… Just logged on and recalled that today is the day of Roberto’s funeral. So, I’d like to offer my condolences to his family, friends and any & all who loved this young brother…
But most importantly, I’d like to offer Roberto a heart-felt salute for being courageous and brave enough to choose to live his life open, honest, and with pride of who he was… And at such a young age, too… All props, lil’ Bro.
p.s. I didn’t really know this young man, but his story has touch me nonetheless… Wish I could be in NY today, but such is not possible.
Roberto you will be truly missed…….I will never forget all them good times…..You were a great co-worker that always made me smiled when i was unhappy…..That smile of yours is something i will never forget….I know for a fact that you are in a better place and you are looking down on us….Miss you babezzz..muahhzz
roberto you are one sexy inidivisual who will be missed. We shared many happy moments together through high school and after. No one could make me laugh and like you. altough we lost contact you was still my sexy bitch . And i will always love and miss you . much love goes out to your mother Ms. karen , Jade and your lil bro Nathan . keep shining pancho. from Marylou a.k.a LULU …. Chyna, Venice, Tiff, Sasha, Natalia & keisha.
Poncho..when we were kids we all used to talk and you were always the quietest..but through our jokes we always saw you crack a little smile..and to see you smile made us happy.I would have never thought anything like this could happen to our family let alone any person.Its just so sad..I wish we could’ve had more time to spend..I loVe u CuZ..You will forever be in our hearts..
R.I.P PoNcho
Poncho..so many memories we have been through in so little time..I remember when we were all in my dad wedding and you were constantly smiling.( with your pearly white teeth).I remember when we went to the park and you were so quiet at first and then after a while you began to open up.I even remember when we all took a trip to virginia and i dont recall a frown on your face..You will always be remembered and never forgotten..Last night i paid my respects to you.You had so many supporters there by your side..This is not the end this is just the beginning..A new life a new destiny.We will meet again..I love you cuz..
R.I.P Poncho
Hey my sexy boy I am goin to miss u so much . I wish we kept in contact more like we use to cause when we did we all had so much fun together .Words cant explain how much laughter and excitment u gave me and the crew in highschool and after we left sheapshead bay. Im not gonna tell u bye cause thats what u say when ur never gonna see someone again so im gonna say see u lata. So see ya lata babes!!!!! I love u and im gonna miss u but we’ll be partyin again in no time you’ll see .
I’ve known Pancho for a while…someone i love very much…some1 who always would never let spring pass without our little birthday get togethers.I loved this kid with all my heart and wanted so badly to see him grow up. He was very handsome, intelligent, courteous and as he would chime in sexy (lol). Pancho there are no words to describe how i feel…but know this…I thank you for all the wonderful memories you have left me..they will aid me in these trying times u have left me behind to face..I LOVE U Panchy…R.I.P.
hey berto, u will be truly missed. u were a great co-worker and made everybody happy with ur smile. Ur smile means everything. My heart goes out 2 u, ur family & friends.
RIP
U WILL BE TRULY MISSED & NEVER 4GOTTEN.
LOVE ALWAYS,
UR FRIEND,
REBECCA
I knew Pancho for all of my life .There was nothing that we didnt do together.But what kills me the most is that his last months on earth we were not speaking which lead him to reach out to others and head down a path that wasnt meant for him!i know in my heart if he had his right hand bitch ‘Tiff’ none of this would have happened. I know you walking with me ,and because of your unfortunate demise , Im wiser ,smarter and safer walking these streets.I love you to death and I will forever miss you my dude. ”ONLY DA GOOD DIE YOUNG”
With Love Ya BF Tiff
P.S. Happy 21 ST Birthday
05-28-86 - 05-12-07 R.I.P Pancho
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I knew PANCHO for like 6 years when Tiff introduced me to you and even though I didnt see or speak to you everyday (like i should have) everytime time I went to The Lab (thats was ya club) you were there, it will never be the same without you. You lived life to the fullest( there was never a dull moment). I love you always babes, muah!!! I never got the chance to tell you I’m having a baby(i guess you know now).
Gone but never forgotten and forever missed.
Love you always Quaila
HAPPY BE-LATED B-DAY.
I SEND A TOAST TO THE HEAVENS ABOVE. LOVE 4 EVA YOUR GAL LULU.
Poncho, everynight u keep me up n everyday I awake with this horrible reality that I have 2 go another day without u. . . they say someone has been arrested 4 ur death but honestly that just isn’t enough. . . as my days add on and grow longer NOTHING can ever justify u not being here with me NOTHING!!! I’ll love u NOW, FOREVER , and ALWAYS.
Ur Baby/ Sharp Shooter (lol)
Daisy
Hey Pancho. . . this is Monique. . . or as you would say Mini Me. . . . it’s really crazy how ur gone. Sometimes I still don’t believe it cuz . . . omg. . I just don’t believe it. I keep reminiscing about all the times we shared and all the memories we have. Remember when we was in ur hallway for like 3 hours cuz a bitch don’t know how to dance and u was like u gonna do it like this. .. or what about all the times when we got into shit in the club and you be like Mini Me don’t do it. .or you know thats not right. Shit we used to even sleep in the bed together like 4 deep. . .Its just crazy and like others said. . . “The Good Die Young”. . . OMG Pancho!!! I miss you and I will always miss you and you’ll always be in my thoughts. . . . RIP Pancho. . . if there is really life after death. . . I’ll see you lata. . . . Monique. . . aka your mini me.
R.I.P. Berto. It”s Melanie you know the crazy one. I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it back to N.Y.C. to see you but my heart was there. I send my condolences to your family. You always kept a smile on my face. Remember your 18th B-day (smile) we had a ball. Or all the crazy times we had in the building. It seems like yesterday. Even thought your gone I still feel your presence. Your another shinning star lighting up my night sky.
P.S. Happy Birthbay
(252) 384-0158
Hey berto it’s sad that my last words to you has to be like this. I rememberst when i first met you, i felt like i had known you forever. you were a very cool person and always made me laugh, its sad to know that u were taken from alot of loved ones, but you will be truley missed. my heart goes out to you and your famiy. love all ways your homie
You always kept a smile on my face and even though your gone I will always remember you, all the good times that we did share even though as we moved back home our time together slowly started to disappear, damn berto I was just talking to you a week be for you left the world but in my heart you will always stand PANCO #1
who’d ever know that you’d have 2 go so suddenly so fast how could it be that a sweet memory is all all that we have left now that your gone everyday i go on but life just the same i’m so empty inside and my tears i can’t hide but i’ll try i’ll try 2 face the fact that I’M MISSIN YOU……………………….chyna,marylou.sasha keisha natalliea roberto,tiffany
i still can’t believe your gone………….i’ll never get over this
R.I.P REBERTO
WE WILL SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN SOMEDAY JUST KEEP WATCHIN FROM ABOVE…………I LOVE YOU SO MUCH IT HURTS
who’d ever know that you’d have 2 go so suddenly so fast how could it be that a sweet memory is all all that we have left now that your gone everyday i go on but lifes just not the same i’m so emty inside and my tears i can’t hide but i’ll try i’ll try 2 face the fact that I’M MISSIN YOU…………………..chyna,marylou,keisha,sasha,natalliea,tiffany,roberto,
i still can’t believe your gone……………..i’ll never get over this
WE WILL SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN SOMEDAY BUT TIL THAN KEEP WATCHIN DOWN ON US…………………………..I LOVE U AND MISS U SO MUCH
who’d ever know that you’d have 2 go so suddenly so fast how could it be that a sweet memory is all all that we have left now that you goe everyday i go on but lifes just not tha same i’m so empty inside and my tears i can’t hide but i’ll try i’ll try 2 face the fact that I’M MISSIN YOU……………….chyna,keisha,marylou,roberto,sasha,tiffany,venice
i still can’t believe your gone this is something i’ll neva get ova
SOMEDAY WE WILL SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN BUT TIL THAN KEEP WATCHIN DOWN ON US………………..I LOVE YOU AND I MISS YOU SOOOOOOOO MUCH
R.I.P. ROBERTO
TOM,JOHN AND BILL( LOL I KNO U LAUGHIN)
I read through all the messages on this thread and am truly touched by everyone’s sentiment…
I can feel all the love that people had for Roberto…get a real sense of how loved he was and how greatly his presence on this earth is missed…Roberto’s murder makes me sad, it makes my heart heavy with grief, and I didn’t even know him. But what I do know is that it could have been anyone. It could have been me, you or someone else you love. And that’s why I do all I can to TRY to make a difference…so I ask all of Pancho’s mourners - everyone that has posted here and everyone reading this now….WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MAKE SURE ROBERTO DIDN’T DIE FOR NOTHING? HOW ARE YOU MAKING YOUR STREETS SAFER? Don’t let his death be in vain!! Unfortunately, Roberto is not the first, gay person of colored brutally murdered on our city streets, and if nothing continues to be done - he will not be the last. I beg you - if you’re sentiments are true, let them give you the motivation to get out there and do something, so that someone else down the road isn’t posting on some message board about how much they are going to miss a loved one because they were murdered as a byproduct of ignorance, hate and intolerance. YOU CAN BE THE DIFFERNCE! GET INVOLVED! DO SOMETHING! I volunteer with the Safe OUTside the System Collective in Brooklyn. I saw that Ejeris posted earlier - props to her for all the hard work she does. We are out there, on the streets, in the clubs, at The Lab, doing outreach, meeting twice a month working on getting things RIGHT in our community!
Right now we’re recruiting folks who will help us fight this battle against police and hate violence. If you would like to join us, feel free to call Ejeris at (718) 596-0342 x22 or just stop by The Audre Lorde Project at 85 South Oxford Street, BK, NY 11217 - ring the bell - tell them that you want to join the good fight - I’m sure you’ll get buzzed in! Our next open meeting is Tuesday, June19th 2007 @ 7pm. Hope to meet some of you there.
peace..
-smh
YES YES YES THEY FOUND YOUR KILLER AND GUESS WHAT …………….HE GOT 25 TO LIFE THATS SO GREAT HE DESERVED IT HE TOOK YOUR LIFE NOW HIS IS GONE …………………..THANK YOU GOD U ANSWERED ALL OUR PRAYS
Roberto! Roberto! Roberto!
First let me say to your Mom, Mom stay strong because losing a child that was living I can’t imagine, but I know it’s hard. To have then to have lose words cannot express. Stay strong and keep on praying because GOD does answer prayers despite the demise. My condelences to Roberto’s family and friends especially me neice Natalliea a.k.a Natty Fats. When Natty first introduce me to Berto it was a couple of years ago and I’m that type of aunt that all the kids come to and love to be around. That being said there was a time I myself whose not into DA life but just love everyone for who they are was invited to the lab by my niece and that’s when I met Berto I said to myself Dang he is a cutie nevertheless I partied with them just to c how they partied. It was fun and an experience after that I saw Roberto at Natty’s 20th birthday party at DA Bridge Club now known as Miss Theresa’s down here in Jersey with Tiff as I partied with my niece a couple of times and again there was that thought Dang he is cute and that was the last time I saw Berto smiling and cute. When Natty told me the news that Berto was killed my heart fell to the floor and I was speechless. I have read everyone’s comment which brought tears to my eyes and like everyone his smile was the first thing you would c. He was so respectful and quiet when he first met me but he felt comfortable enough to call me aunty and that I was. I feel the pain because he was that type of person that just left that type of mark, and also because my niece hurt so bad because she and I was unable to c him off before he departed from this world that would soon come to an end because of all of the unjust things that are happening. The long of the short of my comment is that I urge everyone that knew Berto to keep their heads up and be safe. Things that we might think is a joke to some may not be to others. B mindful of who ya friends R and take life seriously. If u haven’t b4 now the time to start. To my niece ever since u’ve heard about Berto u’ve been distant, I know that it hurts that you weren’t able to be there 4 his viewing & da funeral I’m hurt 2 cause u know I would’ve been there 2. But u stay strong and u say a prayer 4 Berto and everything will b just fine. Like I said in da begining GOD does answer prayers. I LUV U and everyone who knows me I LUV YALL 2 keep ya head up and Mom u stay strong. His an angel living life after death cause life is not promised to know 1. RobertoI luv U and U let that smile shine bright 4 ya mom and everyone who truly luv’s u. Only U know da truth.
Luv Auntie!!!!!
i miss u so much berto i can’t deal with tha fact that u r gone it’s 2 hard sometime i can’t even handle it u r suppose 2 still be here…………………why?why?why did he take u away from us it’s not right this just seems so unreal this is so HARD i can’t take it berto…………..and what kills me da most is that i wasn’t there 2 say my goodbyes 2 u and that kills me tha most i should of been there 4 u i miss u roberto soooooooooooooooooo much i love u
r.i.p rob
LORD KNOWS HOW MUCH I LOVE YA.
I MISS YOU ROBERTO. I KNOW YOU KNEW I WAS GOING TO GET MARRIED SOON AND I WAS EXPECTING YOU TO BE IN MY WEDDING PARTY. BUT I KNOW YOU WILL BE THERE IN SPIRIT. I DRIVE BY YOUR BUILDING EVERY DAY AND I LOOK IN TO SEE IF YOUR ON THE STOOP OR IN THE LOBBY WINDOW. I KNOW YOUR GONE , BUT YOU ARE SURELY IN MY HEART.
MUCH LOVE GOES OUT TO YOUR FAMILY….
R.I.P. PANCHO
hi baby u no u r always with me i love you very much im sorry that good wanted you so soon. ill talk 2 u evry day to let u know what ur not missing
may my love b with u n rest in peace i see u at the crossroads love always lam lam
I love you and you will always be missed. Sorry we lost touch and it’s fuck up the way we have to meet. See you soon. MY RIDE OR DIE NIGGA ya dig love you and miss you forever
Hey Berto
it’s beena couple of months and i’m still thinking of u. i know your in a better place, i just wish u was here with family and friends. We had fun times together. Those were the good ole days.
I miss you sooo much my son I wish it was just a dream I love you I love you soo much
Remember Super Nintendo lol? Diggin’ in your Momma’s pots to grab some food? You, me and Tiff and our many adventures in backyard? Shantelle, Ricky, and the rest of the crew chillin’ in the Vill? Or how about our walks to and from Junior High School? You are definitely more than just a friend and yes I am still in denial… When I leave my house every morning for work, I look towards the staircase in hopes that you’d be sittin’ on the steps, smoking a cigarette and yapping away on your phone… Fox 5 did a story about you and they asked me some questions… I hope I did a good job.
Love You
HEY BABES. GUESS WHO I RAN INTO YESTERDAY. YUP YOUR GIRL NATALIA. WE HAVENT SEEN EACH OTHER IN TWO YEARS. NATALIA AND I CATCHED UP ON OLD TIMES FROM WHEN WE WAS I HIGH SCHOOL TO CHIILING BY CHYNA OR YOUR HOUSE AND REMINSING ON HOW YOU, ME NATALIA , CHYNA & VENICE WOULD RIDE THE TRAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER FROM LAST STOP TO LAST STOP JUST BECAUSE WE WAS BROKE AND BORED. YEAH THOSE WAS SOME GOOD TIMES. NOW HALF OF THE CREW IS BACK TOGETHER WE WILL ALWAYS MAKE A TOAST TO YOU. YOU ARE MISSED BOO. COMING FROM YOUR SEXY BITCH LULU.
R.I.P PANCHO .
TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE CREW …….VENUS, CHYNA, NATALIA, KEISHA, TIFF ME (MARYLOU ) & OTHERS . WE NEED TO LINK UP. LOVE ALWAYS …..LULU
next court day 2/1/08 @ 10am
I WILL ALWAYS LOVE U PANCHO I WILL ALWAYS HAVE U N MY HEART ALLL THE GOOD AND BAD TIMES WE HAVE HAD U WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED
Hi im heart dramatically when im home thinking or working he comes to mine and i cry . because hees gone and he was the only one who made me happy as a friend . i really dont no how to move on im trying and trying so i hope when people fight or are stupid in there actions think before u act upon please its not easy moving on it hearts. im trying to start a program for gay crimes in nyc so who ever is willing to help
me start please get back at me.
347-484-8768 please lets stop violents
hey…berto it’s me…I’m so sorry about what happened
I just found out 2 yrz later. And it breaks my heart. I remember that half a day we went to ya house and you kissed me and I was scared, but secretly liked it… 
I love u and u will be missed. Reading these comments bring tears to my eyes.
R.I.P poncho
R.I.P poncho
God Rest Him
ITS 2/21/09…I just woke up from a bad dream and somehow thinking about u.Its a surprisingly calming and warm feeling, thank you Panchy..i’m probably the only person in the world u let touch your feet (lmao) only u would ‘get’ that! I’ve come to understand that you are truly my first love,i hadn’t accepted that for the fact that it caused more pain. since you i’ve lost another friend to violence and it hurt also.Panchy, they found your killer and justice is being served. I wanna see your mom so badly but i don’t know how. Our birthdays are coming up and i will live for both of us. In due time Pancho, we will cross paths again…and when we do..i won’t have to tell you how much i love you because u will know that i do…for my soul would have found u beyond our physical boundaries. For now i miss you…i still walk down St.Marks frequently and everytime i do i silently smile a smile for you…p.s. i still haven’t seen anyone that can test ur dancing..lol..i know u loving that one…ok..i shall try and go back to sleep…visit me in my dreams my friend..oh n Panchy…guess what!?! WE HAVE A BLACK PRESIDENT NOW LOLOL..I KNOW RIGHT!?…LOL…miss u dearly…
I miss you Berto
Love Bread