Mass shooting again in the United States leaves three dead and multiple injured in Washington DC

By Edward Era Barbacena 

It was a violent start to the weekend in D.C., with gun violence killing three people and injuring four other victims across four shootings early Saturday morning.

The first shooting police responded to was at the 2500 block of Ontario Road, Northwest in Adams Morgan around 1 a.m., where officers found two men dead at the scene and another man suffering from life-threatening injuries.

This is a residential community, and neighbors told 7News the deafening sound of gunfire bouncing off the walls of the homes there woke them up.

"It wasn't one or two shots. It was a lot of gunshots," said a neighbor who asked to be anonymous. "Next thing I remember [my husband] telling me is, 'Get down! Get down!'

Police then responded to a shooting at the 1200 block of U Street, Northwest around 3 a.m. Police say a man died as a result of the shooting.

Around 4:30 a.m. D.C. Police responded to a call of a victim walking into a local hospital suffering from gunshot wounds. Police were investigating the 2400 block of Georgia Avenue, Northwest but have not determined exactly where the shooting happened.

The last of the early morning shooting happened around 6 a.m. in the 5200 block of Just Street, Northeast. Police found a man and woman suffering from gunshot wounds.

In total, three people were killed and four people were injured early Saturday morning.

The Adams Morgan shooting is yet another violent incident in a neighborhood known to be a safe area for tourists visiting bars and residents living there.

"We walk around the block. We walk the dog before we go to bed. Thinking about the possibility of getting caught in the crossfire if I'm getting home late, which I often park on this block, I'm not sure I'm going to park on this block anymore," said Kristen Adaire.

Last month, 7News reported on a string of armed robberies that happened in the community.

Less than two weeks ago, a man was shot and killed at the Marie H. Reed Recreation Center in Adams Morgan.

Neighbors also said they have not yet shaken the images from another deadly shooting there in December.

So far this year in Adams Morgan, total crime is up 43 % and violent crime has more than doubled compared to the same time last year.

7News On Your Side asked neighbors if they still feel safe in the community.

"We as neighbors, as a neighborhood, have been steadily complaining to the police and to elected officials that there is a burgeoning drug dealing going on in this neighborhood, in Unity Park," the anonymous neighbor said. "We feel not much has been done. It's been allowed to fester. It's been allowed to grow."

Vikram Surya Chiruvolu added: "At this very moment with the sun bright, there's a news reporter here, yeah I feel safe. When you leave, the police leave, I think we're going to be more mindful to keep our wits more about us."

Acting MPD Chief Pamela Smith provided a brief statement at the scene of the Adams Morgan homicide.

"Another act of senseless violence has occurred in this area," Smith said.

Councilmember Brianne Nadeau represents Ward 1, which includes Adams Morgan, and told 7News she has already spoken to acting MPD Chief Pamela Smith.

"I asked her for additional resources. She said she would work on that with me," Nadeau said. "In my ward, I work everyday with the police to address the violent robberies we've seen and the drug related shootings. We need more of that. We need dedicated resources in areas we've seen high crime and violence. Between that and the other investments we're making in the medium and long term in prevention, that's the path forward. We also need to make sure when police are out making arrests, they're being prosecuted."

While reporting on the armed robbery spree in the neighborhood last month, 7News On Your Side asked MPD what actions they are taking in response to the recent uptick in violence there.

"We have taken several steps to address recent crime in Adams Morgan, including identifying priority areas for patrol to focus on, establishing two business beats, and stationing several of our Vehicle Enforcement Overtime Units there," a spokesperson said in a statement.

7News then followed up, asking if MPD would consider altering their strategy if crime continues to spike.

"In recent days, MPD has increased our resources in the Adams Morgan area to address the recent crime trends in the evening and overnight hours. MPD takes all incidents that jeopardize the safety of our residents and visitors seriously. MPD does not discuss operational tactics; however, we will continue to monitor and plan accordingly with our law enforcement partners, and other city services, to ensure the safety of the community," a spokesperson responded in another statement.

7News asked neighbors in Adams Morgan what they would ask city and police leaders if given the opportunity.

"Let's expand mental health intervention work, let's expand violence interruption, and let's have a complex conversation about the underlying causes of violence," Adaire said.

The D.C. Council is in its summer recess.

But 7News On Your Side was able to get a one-on-one interview with Nadeau, and asked her many questions views had: What's her response to people who say they still don't feel safe and the emergency public safety bill is not effective, and what specifically are she and council doing about this.

“I am a mom raising my kids here in Ward 1 and I understand concerns and fear about safety. The thing I want folks to know is Council passed an emergency bill right before recess, but that’s only one part of what’s going on and what needs to happen,” Nadeau said. "In my ward, I've put more than $5 million in the upcoming budget to address violence and crime here. We need to keep making those investments in prevention while also ensuring we've got adequate policing and prosecution."

Nadeau also said she is pushing for her bill to grow the MPD force to be taken up and passed.

That bill is called the Compensation and Development of Extraordinary Trainees - or CADET - Amendment Act of 2023.

If passed, it would almost double the pay for cadets and expand the candidate pool by increasing the maximum cadet age from 24 to 33 years old.

"My bill would expand the wages and the access to the cadet program, and would expand our organically grown police force," Nadeau said.

At a mass shooting in Anacostia Saturday night, 7News also was able to ask MPD Acting Chief Pamela Smith what immediate actions the department will take in response to the violent day.

"Typically what we do after every incident is we'll ensure we have the appropriate amount of officers in this area throughout the evening," Smith said. "This is not a war zone. We want our residents to feel safe. Our officers are where they need to be. Our expectation is the community will respond to us accordingly, so we can continue to keep your city safe."