14-Year-Old Dies in Columbia Heights Stabbing

Police think stabbing was gang-related

A 14-year-old was stabbed to death in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of northwest Washington Friday afternoon. The attack may have been the conclusion of a fight between two gangs, police said.

"There was an argument and then groups arguing with each other and chasing each other," said D.C. Assistant Police Chief Diane Groomes. "Then, apparently, they did chase down our victim."

Giovanni Sanchez was stabbed in the chest. Police sources told News4 the stabbing suspects may be members of the MS-13 gang.

It was the second deadly incident to happen in a busy commercial neighborhood in northwest Washington this week -- a 21-year-old died in a double shooting in the Adams Morgan area Wednesday night. Crew affiliation also played a role in that slaying, but the victim who died was not believed to be an active gang member, police said.

Ward 1 City Councilmember Jim Graham said he's concerned and that the city must come together to stop the violence.

"We don't know where this is going to lead," Graham said. "We are feeling very uneasy."

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