Another Shooting in Columbia Heights

Columns

by Prince Of Petworth June 14, 2016 at 9:01 pm 21 Comments

14th Street Shooting 2

From MPD at 5:40pm:

“The Third District is currently investigating a shooting at 14th and Girard Street NW. Detectives are currently on scene. Anyone with information is asked to call 202-727-9099.”

A reader reported:

“I live on 14th and fairmont and I just heard several shots fired. Not exactly sure where they came from but they were coming closer to Girard/columbia/harvard. Lots of police activity. Scary because this is prime commuting time–lots of foot traffic and people out and about.”

Update: I’m told that two males were shot but are not being very cooperative. Updates when more is known.

FullSizeRender

Corey

I really like the title in the URL.

Nadeau needs to go!
damn

This block has always been a problem, but the number of shootings within a few block radius is way up recently. I lived there several years ago, and at that time violent crime was trending down in this part of Columbia Heights. Sadly, it seems that trend has reversed.
Ghost

I Was on 14th and Harvard when this occurred around 5:40. Saw multiple people running out from in and around the park. 5-6 shots I would say. Didn’t appear anyone was hit…but I also didn’t get too close to see for sure. Would like an update if anyone else has info
Anonymous

I am not sure what the city can do to stop this sort of violence, specifically in this area. There isn’t a loitering law, and trying to pass one will draw criticism as it will be perceived as racist. The police could increase their presence, but you’d need a dozen officers to effectively cover the space. There are a number of alleys and buildings with areas not visible from the street, with both providing cover for anyone looking to commit violence or sell drugs. You can’t tear down the entire area and start over.

Perhaps the city could take a page out of the NYC subway playbook: make sure that the corner of 14th and Irving is free from trash and pressure wash the area. This isn’t that dissimilar from NYC cleaning off graffiti from subway cars as soon as they were tagged in the 70s/80s. Start ticketing for littering and public drinking.
- Leeran
  
  I don’t really buy that it would take 12 officers to make a dent in the constant daytime shootings here.
  
  As noted below, cracking down on public drinking/drug use on these couple of blocks too wouldn’t be that hard either. I live in the area and it’s constant.
- U neighbor
  
  How about a lot of good quality cameras, like a two or three dozen placed in public spaces within a few block radius that catch every possible egress from these few problem blocks. Set up an auto-triggered live monitoring system based on shot-spotter hits, to immediately catch which direction they ran or drove in. Then maybe reinsttate the Vice squads who might be able to recognize the perpetrators based on high-quality images.
  .
  Cue the debate on privacy vs. security.
  - FridayGirl
    
    I don’t really care about privacy. I’ve lived in a country where there are cameras ALL over the place. But cameras can’t arrest people who shoot people and THEN make sure they are not on the streets again a day… or a month or two… later. I’m pretty sure people who harm others couldn’t care less whether they’re being watched or not.
Common Sense

Nadeau must go!
JS

An innocent bystander was killed in the crossfire at this corner a few years ago. It’s sad to see that nothing’s really changed.
.
The city could at least start ticketing the rampant public drinking that goes on at the 14th & Girard park.
- FridayGirl
  
  +1. I always feel ridiculous that I tend to bus up from U St. to go North/East of 14th & Irving instead of walking, but this is exactly why.
  - Leeran
    
    Don’t feel ridiculous. I’m a guy who lives on Irving and have had people bother me multiple times when I’m walking north from U at night. Trying to not do that anymore…
Lincoln

I live at 14th and Fairmont and I have to pass by that park every day. Something really has to be done with everyone loitering there Im shocked it took that long for something like this to happen there.
Thought

Brianne,
While the rest of us are on the Hillary bandwagon (aka Reality), your Bernie Sanders / anti-police / occupy roots are getting people killed.
The occupy folks finally left McPhearson Square park downtown, and Zuccotti Park in NYC. We are counting down the days until you leave office so we can have our city back.
It took some time for the National Park Service to repair the damage to McPhearson Square. Repairing the damage from your tenure will take time as well, but it will happen.
- Positive Pamela
  
  Not that it really matters, but I believe Nadeau has been a pretty vocal Hillary supporter. She spoke to my class one day (I’m a teacher) and she said she was voting for Hillary.
AB

A friend and I had just walked by (across the street from the park) when we heard 7-8 shots (I think it was that many). We were headed to Easter Seals at the end of the block to get her kid so we just ran there…I had my baby in the stroller. The kids at the day care were outside playing but we’re being brought in just as we got there, maybe 2 minutes after the shots…they went on lockdown as a precaution and we all sat in the hallway/interior areas for a while. It was scary. I agree, this seems to happen a lot around there.
Thought

I was against Brianne Nadeau before it was cool.
- textdoc
  
  I was for Brianne Nadeau before I was against her.
- KenyonDweller
  
  Don’t blame me; I voted for Graham ;)
P

Nadeau is the prime example of an out of towner, being voted into office by out of towners.
- Aries_in_DC
  
  Your comment is divisive and not at all productive. A large number of residents are from ‘out of town.’ Exactly how long must one live in the District and pay taxes in the District and work and volunteer in the District, before she counts as a member of the community?
ByeFelicia

I wrote to her just to see what she would say and she said a lot of this is what I’m already doing but the highlights were ” It seems that you might not be getting my announcements, which we share in our newsletter. You can subscribe at brianneknadeau.com” “We need these guns off the street. Period”
Here’s a recent update on some resources I have secured for Columbia Heights: http://www.brianneknadeau.com/council_votes_on_revised_shelter_plan_dc_s_annual_budget
Here is my public safety meeting recap:
http://www.brianneknadeau.com/ward_1_public_safety_meeting_recap
And my next community office hours are Monday from 6:30 – 8 at Calabash in Shaw.”

So yeah, not helpful.

Subscribe to our mailing list