Maryland

Recent American Univ. Grad, 23, Killed In Shaw

Police said Matthew Shlonsky was not the intended target of the shooting.

A recent American University graduate was fatally shot outside the Shaw-Howard University Metro station. 

District of Columbia police say Matthew Shlonsky was shot outside of the Metro station on Saturday just after 4:45 p.m.

Shlonsky, 23, was an unintended target in the shooting, police said. The 2014 American University graduate, who interned on Capitol Hill in 2013, was walking with with friends in the 1800 block of 7th Street NW near S Street when he was struck. 

Shots were fired from the southeast and southwest corners of 7th and S streets, police said. A burgundy Chrysler 300 with Maryland tags was seen leaving the area, but it is unclear if shots were fired from it, police said. However, at 6th and S streets, the driver of the Chrysler exchanged words with another driver and showed a handgun, and at another location, the driver of the Chrysler shot at someone, police said.

Police recovered the Chrysler in northeast D.C. It was stolen in a burglary in Bowie, Maryland, Aug. 11. Police believe that three people caught on video at another burglary -- in the 4200 block of Argyle Terrace NW Aug. 12 -- were in the Chrysler the afternoon of the homicide.

Investigators also have video from Shaw of three other persons of interest and another vehicle of interest from the afternoon of the homicide, police said.

The shooting may have stemmed from an illegal craps game, Chief Cathy Lanier said. She asked anyone who sees a craps game call police and report it.

"Matt was a talented young man with a bright future who was taken from us too soon. He was an outstanding intern for me in Washington," said Ohio Sen. Rob Portman. 

Police are looking for six persons of interest and a burgundy Chrysler 300 with Maryland tags in connection with the shooting. 

Shlonsky is the second American graduate to be killed this summer. Kevin Joseph Sutherland was fatally stabbed on a Metro train July 4. Sutherland graduated from American in 2013. 

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