Blog

A separate pair of shootings occurred Christmas Eve, one hospitalizing 3 men, and the other killing one man. Suspects in both incidents remain at large.

The first shooting took place in the middle of the day in broad daylight, around 1:15 pm, reports WUSA9. The three men stood on the 3500 block of Wheeler Rd. When responding officers found them, all were breathing and conscious. Ambulances transported them to the hospital. Police seek a suspect reportedly driving a small, burgundy SUV with a ski rack, lacking a front tag, and has rear window tint.

Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle fleeing away from the scene. The driver wore a gray hoodie with a black hooded sweatshirt. Anyone observing the potential suspect should contact the police immediately and not engage.

Additionally, an unrelated shooting took place Saturday evening. At 4:10 pm, officers arrived at the scene of a convenience store in Prince George’s County. There, on the 5200 block of Malboro Pike, they found a man with multiple gunshot wounds. They pronounced him dead at the scene.

Earlier in the month, a 19-year-old man died of multiple gunshot wounds. Police discovered Daquan Hankins on the 1000 block of Rhode Island Ave.

Authorities refer anyone with information regarding these crimes to call 202-727-9099.

Shootings Tick Upward for Capital

Washington D.C. gun violence retains its alarming statistics, year over year. Since 1999, every year reports over 100 homicides, guns being the primary instrument. The only exception was 2012, which still saw 88. So far this year, there have been 162 homicides.

Despite limited gun legislation in response to more high profile mass shootings, D.C. fails to reduce its gun violence. According to Colbert I. King, a columnist for the Washington Post, the volume of illegal weapons fuels the city’s gun violence.

He argues the inaction of City Hall in addressing the issue, instead of passing legislation reducing sentences, only hurts.

However, stiffer sentences have failed to produce a positive result. The solution remains elusive.