Martin Luther King Jr.

1 Killed in ‘Brazen' DC Shooting Ahead of Violent Night

The killing comes after a few quiet weeks in the District, but also after police released data showing homicides are up 52 percent from the same time last year

One man was killed in a "brazen" daylight shooting in Columbia Heights on Thursday, marking the start of a violent night around the District.

The killing comes after a few quiet weeks in the District, but also after police released data showing homicides are up 52 percent from the same time last year.

The victim was walking on the 1300 block of Columbia Road Northwest when a suspect walked up, shot the victim and walked away, Police Chief Peter Newsham said.

Police responded about 6:30 p.m. The victim was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead; his identity has not yet been released.

"There's a lot of people out here. Anyone who's gonna pull out a handgun, under those circumstances, they don't care about public safety," Newsham told News4. He said the shooting was brazen and targeted.

Newsham said the surge in violence that plagued D.C. and marked a three-year high in homicides in 2018 seemed to have slow in recent weeks.

"In recent weeks, it has slowed down pretty significantly. So, you know, we're hopeful that this is an isolated instance," Newsham said.

But the first string of warm days of the season was marred by several other shootings.

Police reported a double shooting on the 2400 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Southeast later Thursday and are searching for a dark-colored sedan.

About 11:15 p.m., police began investigating a shooting on the 2900 block of Nelson Place Southeast. They're looking for a short, black male who was dressed in all black and wearing a turban.

Police haven't released details on the injuries in those shootings.

A woman was shot in the neck and another woman was shot in the leg on the 3000 block of 30th Street Southeast. Both victims were conscious and breathing when police responded. A suspect wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants fled the scene.

D.C. Police released a report Thursday showing that there were 32 confirmed homicides through January 1 to March 14, 2019; Compared to 21 homicides in the first 3 1/2 months of 2018.

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