Crime

MPD Police Commander Responds Candidly to LeDroit Park Community Concerns after Recent Shootings

By Prince Of Petworth

From the MPD 3D Listserv:

“While we saw a few weeks of calm in the area, the homicide on Sunday night is very alarming to us as well. Our detectives are reviewing cameras from the area, and interviewing witnesses to the shooting. I am hopeful that we will be able to get enough evidence to identify the suspect or suspects responsible for this senseless act, and bring them to justice.

Since these incidents began, we increased our deployment of officers to the area with marked and unmarked units, along with plain clothes officers from other divisions within the MPD. We have deployed our light tower to the area almost nightly, and have conducted patrols with DCHA PD. We have also enlisted the help of our partner agencies, to include the ONSE (Officer of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement).

However, the abundance of illegal guns on our streets is still the primary issue, which we have made our priority. Each of the most recent events all share the same thing: The shooter(s) displayed a reckless disregard for human life by firing weapons on the street. There are far too many illegal guns on our streets. What we need to do collectively as a community is change the narrative that recklessly shooting a gun in public or carrying one is ok. What we need is: (more…)

“woke up to 4 distinct gunshots”

By Prince Of Petworth


via google maps

“Dear PoPville,

Has anyone heard details of the shooting that took place around 4:45/5am this morning on 16th and Columbia? We think it may have been near the All Souls Church. We live in the Argonne and woke up to 4 distinct gunshots. Shortly after, cop cars pulled up and my wife saw police interviewing a possible witness. They didn’t stay long and all returned to normal.”

“We had two apartments robbed in Adams Morgan this weekend. It was a terrifying experience.”

By Prince Of Petworth

20190106_222050

“Dear PoPville,

1/6/18 at 11:30am Apartment Breakin.

Hello PoPville. We had two apartments robbed in Adams Morgan this weekend. It was a terrifying experience. First apartment-the couple was away. In the second-the girl was at home in another room. Horrible experience. She did not stay in the apartment that night. The individuals easily got into the building and we suspect they were tipped off by someone. (more…)

“victim and the suspect had been involved in a verbal dispute while in front of the liquor store”

By Prince Of Petworth


1300 Block of North Capitol St NW during a previous incident in 2016

From MPD Monday night:

“Earlier this evening members of the First District responded to a call for a stabbing in front of 1200 North Capitol Street NW. Police investigation revealed that the victim and the suspect had been involved in a verbal dispute while in front of the liquor store in the 1300 Blk of North Capitol St NW in the Fifth District. The suspect produced a knife and stabbed the victim in the shoulder and abdomen. The suspect then fled the scene on foot into 1D. The victim was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Members of the Fifth District Detectives Unit are investigating. Anyone with information are encouraged to contact MPD at 202-727-9099.”

“We never expected the theft to occur from a classmate.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

This message is both a public service announcement/reminder and a plea from a fellow PoPville community member and yogi. A classmate and I had our wallets stolen tonight during an evening class at 405 Yoga Studio on Florida Ave NE. The three thieves were a bit suspicious from the start by the way they were acting. All three came late, weren’t able to pay up front for the class and had accounts set up with contact information in North Carolina (which we found out after class when the police looked into their registration). About ten minutes into class the three individuals left the class (told the front desk attendant something about not liking the class), gathered their belongings and left. Their belongings also included two wallets which were not theirs. The two of us discovered our wallets were missing promptly after the class ended when we noticed our purses were lighter and fraud alerts already on our phones from credit card companies. Both of us had charges placed at CVS locations in NW DC in the amounts of $495 – $500 (in total thousands of dollars) for what has been described as gift cards by the CVS police reports filed. One additional charge was attempted tonight from a different pharmacy in Oxon Hill Maryland. (more…)

Update: Both now homicide investigations. Sunday Night Shootings in LeDroit Park and Petworth

By Prince Of Petworth


9th and Varnum Street, NW

TheMonthlyBleed reported to us: “At least 10 gunshots near 4th and V in ledroit park, and screeching cars”

From MPD around 8:30pm Sunday Night:

“The Third District is currently investigating a shooting in the 200 block of W Street Northwest. An adult male has been transported to an area hospital with critical injuries.

Motorist and pedestrians in the area can expect road closures.

Anyone with information is asked to call 202-727-9099.”

Update from MPD:

“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, January 6, 2019, in the 200 block of V Street, Northwest.

At approximately 7:59 pm, members of the Third District responded to the listed location for the report of the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers discovered an adult male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

On Monday, January 7, 2019, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent has been identified as 25-year-old Damon Dukes, of Northwest, DC.”

and regarding the photo above which was sent by Katie at 8:35am this morning:

“Shooting at 2253 hrs in the 800 block of Varnum St, NW. LOF: (S1): Unknown race male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt; (S2): Unknown race male wearing a white hooded sweatshirt. Both suspects L/S in a black sedan.”

Update from MPD:

“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, January 6, 2019, in the 800 block of Varnum Street, Northwest. (more…)

Shooting on Benning Road, Unit Block of O St, NW and Reports of Shots Fired in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

From MPD:

“At approximately 10:50 pm on 1/5/19, a victim was located in the 1500 Block of Benning Road, NE, suffering from an apparent gun shot wound. Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is asked to please call (202) 727-9099.”

“At approximately 3:30 am on 1/6/19, the Fifth District responded to the Unit Block of O Street, NW for the sound of gun shots. Upon arrival a victim was located suffering from an apparent gun shot wound. Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is asked to please call (202) 727-9099.”

A reader reported around 8pm Saturday:

“just heard what sounded like an automatic weapon firing off by 14/Irving. Anyone else reporting that? Heard from inside my apt.”

Another: “I drove right by this in an uber – heard the shots and saw 3 men running on Columbia road, almost hit them with the car. Around 8pm.”

Stabbing at 14th and U Street, NW around Noon on Saturday

By Prince Of Petworth


14th and U Street, NW

FstrBtrStrngr reported just before noon:

“major stabbing/bleeding incident at 14 and U. Two being questioned by police at the municipal center.”

From MPD:

“The Third District is currently investigating a stabbing in the 1300 block of U Street NW. An adult male has been transported to an area hospital with a stab wound to the upper body. (more…)

20 Year Old Arrested in Alleged Daytime Shooting of an Innocent Bystander on Kennedy Street Monday

By Prince Of Petworth


via google maps

Ed. Note: The GoFundMe for the victim is closing in on $35,000 of it’s $40,000 goal. Thanks to all who’ve given.

From MPD:

“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch announce an arrest has been made regarding an Assault With Intent to Kill (Gun) offense that occurred on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, in the 100 block of Kennedy Street, Northwest.

At approximately 12:23 pm, members of the Fourth District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, members located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment of life threatening injuries.

On Wednesday, January 02, 2019, 20-year-old William D’Sean Wrice, of Northeast, DC, was arrested and charged with Assault With Intent to Kill (Gun).”

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