3 killed in DC shootings as violence erupts overnight

WASHINGTON - Three people, including a teenager, were killed, and several others were wounded when gun violence erupted overnight in the nation’s capital within the span of just a few hours.

The deadly night began just after 10:45 p.m. Wednesday near Bruce Place and Ainger Place in southeast Washington. Authorities say a teenage boy was found in the street with gunshot wounds. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died.

Just after midnight, a barrage of gunfire turned the 1000 block of Spring Road in the northwest into a warzone. FOX 5’s Melanie Alnwick says three people were shot around 12:09 a.m. Thursday. One person died at the scene. Police say a woman and a teenage boy also suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to an area hospital.

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Alnwick says at least 71 evidence markers, which are typically used to mark shell casings, were seen on the ground at the crime scene. Investigators are looking for a black Mercedes SUV in connection with the shooting. No other information has been released at this time.

Just after 12:30 a.m., D.C. police responded to the 4500 block of Sheriff Road in the northeast where a man was found with gunshot wounds to the back. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died.

While homicide numbers have declined by nearly 30 percent so far this year in the District and violent crime in total is down nearly 25 percent, MPD Commander Kevin Kentish said these tragedies continue to show that there are far too many illegal guns on the streets of D.C.

"People have access to these guns and when they get into these arguments that normally would not be handled in this manner, the first thing people are going to are guns," Kentish said. "I think with the amount of rounds you heard, and how long it went for, there's just way too many guns out here in the streets and in the hands of the wrong people."

From Monday, April 15, 2024, through Monday, April 22, 2024, MPD detectives and officers recovered 44 firearms in the District.

"My message to residents would be the same thing we have said all the time. We've got to get these guns off the streets," Kentish said. "And there's no way we can close these cases and keep people in custody without the help of the community. In all 3 cases, we know there are witnesses, people with information."

Kentish said they believe at least one of the three shootings was targeted and are working to determine if the others were as well. Anyone with information should contact MPD at 202-727-9099 or text a tip to 50411.

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