A man was fatally shot early Sunday while apparently being robbed, becoming the District's 87th homicide victim this year.
Investigators have not released his name, but friends tell News4 he was a father who was planning to spend Sunday celebrating his daughter's first birthday. He had been talking about how excited he was to celebrate the day.
He was shot early Sunday in the 800 block of 18th Street NE. He then ran to a nearby alley, where he collapsed.
Officers were called to the area shortly after 5:30 a.m. for a reported robbery. They arrived to find the victim unconscious, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
He was rushed to a local hospital, where he died.
Suspect descriptions are vague, but police are looking for two men wearing white T-shirts.
Friends said the victim didn't have a lot of money, so his killers couldn't have gotten much. They told News4's Darcy Spencer that programs for young people have been cut back or eliminated, and they believe that's contributing to a crime wave.
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"You're snatching the rug from under their feet and expecting them to stand on something," said Chepe Chichester, a friend of the victim.
There's been a 21 percent jump in homicides in D.C. this year, compared to this time last year.
Anyone with information in the case is asked to call police at 202-727-9099. Those wishing to remain anonymous may submit information by text messaging 50411.
