Police: Van Used in Deadly Bus Stop Shooting Belonged to Church

The minivan used in a deadly shooting in southeast Washington belonged to a Prince George's County church, police said at a press conference Monday afternoon. 

Investigators believe at least two people were inside the vehicle when someone inside opened fire on a bus stop in the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue SE.

A man and a woman were taken to a hospital, where the woman,Ivy Tonett Smith, 39, of Northeast Washington, died. A third victim suffered minor injuries because of shattered glass. 

Police recovered the van late Sunday night and determined it belonged to Mount Ephraim Baptist Church in Largo, Maryland. 

Church officials told police they were not aware the van was missing, adding that many people have keys to it. Police are trying to track down anyone who had access to the keys.

No arrests have been made. 

"We don't believe that this was a random act of violence, but we're investigating that," D.C. police Capt. Anthony Haythe said. "I don't think that these individuals involved were just riding around randomly shooting out of a vehicle."

Police believe Smith was an innocent bystander, News4's Pat Collins reported. She was waiting for a bus home with a couple bags of groceries.

A graduate of Dunbar High School, Smith worked as a barista and in in property management. She is survived by a 16-year-old son. 

The death is the sixth homicide in Southeast in a month. It took place just steps away from where reporter Charnice Milton was shot to death in May as she was walking to a bus stop.

"We need the Metro Transit Police out here on a daily basis, not just when something happened," ANC Commissioner Paul Trantham said.

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