In Washington D.C., a tragic event unfolded early Sunday morning, resulting in two fatalities and five individuals injured, according to police reports. The incident occurred at the intersection of 7th and P Streets in the northwestern part of the city, close to downtown. Executive Assistant Chief Jeffrey Carroll of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department shared these details during a press conference at the crime scene. The Gun Violence Archive defines a mass shooting as an event where four or more individuals are injured or killed, excluding the perpetrator.
The condition of the five injured victims was not disclosed for several hours following the incident. Police were called to the scene around 3 a.m. ET, where they found that two victims had already succumbed to their injuries, as reported by CBS affiliate WUSA, citing law enforcement sources. The identities of the seven victims have not been released, but it has been confirmed that the injured parties are all adults.
Authorities are currently searching for a suspect, described as a man seen fleeing south on 7th Street from the scene. Executive Assistant Chief Jeffrey Carroll urges anyone with information or who may have witnessed the event to come forward and contact the police department by calling 202-727-9099 or texting 50411.
This incident adds to the growing concern over gun violence in urban areas, prompting calls for action and solutions to prevent future tragedies.