Apparent Innocent Bystander, 23 Year Old AU Graduate, Killed in Saturday Afternoon’s Shooting in Shaw

via Facebook

From MPD:

“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating the homicide that occurred in the 1800 block of Seventh Street, Northwest on Saturday, August 15, 2015, at approximately 4:50 pm.

Third District officers responding to a call for a shooting located an adult male victim suffering from a gunshot wound in the block, unconscious and unresponsive. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The decedent was later transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The decedent has been identified as 23 year-old Matthew Castrol Shlonsky, of Northeast, Washington.

Pursuant to the investigation, detectives are seeking a burgundy Chrysler 300, with a Maryland registration. The vehicle is equipped with a sunroof. The vehicle was observed fleeing the area of the offense.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at (202) 727.9099.

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.”

The Washington Post reports:

“Online information indicated that he was a member of the class of 2014 at American University and was on the honor roll.

There was no indication that he was the intended target of the startling flurry of late afternoon gunfire in Shaw.”

Ed. Note: This is the second recent senseless tragedy for American University. On July 4th an American University graduate, Kevin Sutherland, was killed aboard a metro train at the NoMa station.