Brightwood Park

Update from MPD:

“At approx 12:40 AM we received multiple calls for the sounds of gunshots in both the 800 block of Jefferson Street and the 700 block of Gallatin Street, NW. Our Shotspotter system also detected the sounds of gunshots in the block. Officers responded and located cartridge casings in the block and a few vehicles that had been struck by gunfire, but we did not locate any victims or suspects. During the preliminary investigation we did gain some information on possible suspects and Fourth District detectives are actively investigating the case.

If you or anyone you know has information regarding this case, we ask you to call Command Information Center at 202-727-9099 or the Fourth District Detectives’ Office at 202-715-7506.”

A reader reports just before 1am Sunday: (more…)

via google maps

Tony tweets us yesterday:

“Gunfire 5:30pm on corner 7th & Jefferson NW. What is being done for this problem area”

Council Member Brandon T. Todd replies:

“have you called 911?”

Tony responds:

“Of course. Street was closed as they recovered shell casings and examined vehicles hit”

via google maps

From MPD:

“On April 18, 2016, at approximately 8:50 P.M., Fourth District officers received a call for the sound of gunshots in the 400 block of Hamilton Street, NW. Upon arriving on the scene, an adult male victim was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the body in the 400 block of Hamilton Street, NW.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the shooting occurred in the south alley of the 400 block of Hamilton Street, NW. The victim was transported to a local area hospital, where he is in critical condition.

The Metropolitan Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding this crime to contact the MPD Command Information Center at 202-727-9099.”

via google maps

A reader reports:

“I was working from home today when at 2pm, I heard 6 or 7 shots and looked out my office window to see someone run down the street towards me, jump into a car with 2 or 3 others, and speed away.

I called 911 and was able to give a description of the guy running, the car, and a plate number. 10 minutes later one cop car had driven by but none had stopped at the shooting site. I called again and while I was on the phone a few patrol cars showed up. They taped up the entire intersection, and when I walked down to tell these guys what I had told the dispatch person (not trusting that information would actually get through that quickly), they had identified several shell casings on the ground and said they were still looking for whoever might have been injured. The cop I spoke with was nice enough, but gave me zero confidence that even with a full plate and description of the car that these guys would be found. He suggested it was “probably a rental.”

I literally called seconds after the shooting occurred, gave a pretty decent description, and was able to tell the cops what direction the car drove in. I have no idea if other units were sent to look for the car, but it felt like finding the car wasn’t the priority. The cop I spoke with actually said “we’re still looking for the guy he may have shot.” Which, I don’t know, if he’s not at the scene, and only 10 minutes has passed, where could he be?? I’m frustrated because this is only a few weeks after another mid-day shooting in the immediate vicinity (7th and Jefferson) and while I suppose I understand that when there’s no one actually bleeding in the street the incident gets bumped down the priority list accordingly, it would be nice for them to show a little urgency.

I’ll be interested to see if they call me back or if anything comes of it, because I don’t know how on earth they expect to catch any of the people committing these absurd, random, idiotic shootings in the middle of the day when they can’t catch the guy for whom they get a description and a plate number.”

9th and Jefferson St, NW

A reader reports just after 1:15pm:

“9 shots fired. Cops blocked the street off. Someone’s car is full of holes, back window shattered. Ambulance took someone. there are shell casings everywhere.”

Another frustrated reader notes the presence of a crime camera at 8th and Jefferson:

“Why do they want to pay us to install cameras when they don’t monitor their own?”