D.C. activist fatally shot

WASHINGTON, July 9 (UPI) -- A community activist in Washington D.C. who had filed to run for mayor was fatally gunned down in a city park.

Chris Crowder, 44, appeared to have been shot multiple times when police found him one block away from Washington's new convention center, The Washington Post reported.

Known as a brash, loud and passionate activist, Crowder advocated for affordable housing and higher education as a means of acquiring responsibility. Infamous for taking on bigwigs, Crowder was a champion of African-Americans in the District, the newspaper said.

"He stood out because of his energy and his passion," said City Council member Adrian M. Fenty, a leading mayoral candidate. "He was an advocate for affordable housing, more services and programs for young people. He spoke very loud. Even when he was challenging the government, he was always the type of person who would walk over and shake your hand. He really seemed concerned about the future of the city."

Crowder suffered an earlier shooting in 1990 in the same area of Washington. The earlier attack left him paralyzed from the waist down.