WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tragedy struck near Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Thursday morning as a shooting left two individuals dead and another two wounded. The incident, confirmed by the Metropolitan Police Department, unfolded around 11:40 a.m. close to the Friendly Food Market on Half Street’s 300 block at the intersection with O Street. The victims comprised one woman and three men, all adults.
In the aftermath of the shooting, two of the victims were found unconscious and subsequently died. The medical conditions of the remaining two injured individuals are yet to be disclosed. The shooting took place a mere five-minute walk away from Nationals Park.
During a press briefing, police disclosed that the shooting involved a stolen white Jeep Grand Cherokee. An occupant of the vehicle allegedly started firing a weapon as the Jeep rounded a corner. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a substantial number of gunshots.
The authorities are currently searching for the white 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, distinguished by its sunroof, black rims, and tinted windows. The SUV, which was implicated in an earlier carjacking, carries a Maryland license plate with the number 2FD0820.
This latest act of violence is a stark reminder of the rising crime problem in the District. As of December 21, 2023, violent crime has seen a 39% increase compared to 2022. This year has already seen 5,200 violent crimes, a significant jump from the 3,733 reported at the same point in 2022.
The surge in crime includes a 35% increase in homicides, with 265 recorded so far in 2023, compared to 197 at the same date in 2022. According to police data, 2023 has experienced the highest number of homicides in a single year since at least 2003.