A man was shot and killed in Southeast D.C. Monday evening as children trick-or-treated in the area for Halloween.
Kevin L. Jenkins, 27, of Southeast D.C., was killed. Police said in an update Tuesday.
Jenkins was shot in the chest on the 1600 block of Savannah Avenue SE, about a half-mile east of the Congress Heights Metro station, D.C. police said. Officers arrived on the scene about 5:10 p.m.
Jenkins was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injuries.
Investigators said the gunman was last seen leaving the area in a Honda Civic. Police did not identify a suspect.
Parents said they were outraged the shooting occurred as children trick-or-treated.
April Copelin had been expecting to have a fun night in the neighborhood with her two grandsons.
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“I’m just scared to death,” she said.
When her grandsons, dressed as Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk, asked if anyone had been hurt, she said she told them no.
“I told them no because I don’t want them to have nightmares,” Copelin said. “Little kids like this don't need to be seeing things like that."
Neighbor Gary Jones said he rushed home from work after his 12-year-old daughter called him and said she saw a man lying dead in the street. He said he was tired of violence in the area.
“It's tricks every day. There are no treats in this neighborhood. It's always some drama,” Jones said.
Besides being frightening for nearby families, the shooting forced some police officers to leave a community event for children.
"This is a night that we prepare to give the children something special and unfortunately we're being pulled away from those activities to handle this type of scene. So, we're a little disappointed,” Seventh District Commander Vendette Parker said.
Neighbor April Copelin said her grandsons would not trick-or-treat in the area again.
“They are going trick-or-treating -- just not around here. They're going to Maryland,” she said.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call police at 202-727-9099. tips can be made anonymously by sending a text message to 50411. A reward of as much as $25,000 is offered.
