“Innocent Bystander Shot at 1300 Block of Columbia and A Fatal Stabbing at Gresham and Georgia”

IMG_3468, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Just received an email from Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham:

“Dear Friends, I have just returned from 14th and Columbia, where a short time ago shots were fired on the 1300 block of Columbia. An innocent bystander was sitting in her car, which was about to be parked, when a bullet penetrated the chassis and struck her in the leg.

The 1300 block of Columbia has been heavily patrolled with a squad car and a light tower present since Paul Jones was shot in January. (His alleged, barely 18 year old murderer was with this and another murder and is now in jail.)

Indeed, just last night, I attended a community meeting with MPD on the violence at 1300 block of Columbia.

However, another tragedy tonight–a fatal stabbing at Gresham and Georgia–led to the officer on the 1300 block being pulled to the location of that homicide. (There are very good leads, I am told in thta case.)

In the brief time that followed–when the police were not there, and the light tower was still dark–shots were fired and the person was wounded.

This has all the earmarks of more gang violence.

More information will be revealed as it becomes available.”

Good grief, it almost makes you want to weep out of frustration.  I do wonder why they couldn’t have left the light tower on?  It seems absolutely crazy.  Do you think the shooters were just waiting for the moment the cops were gonna leave?