Two injured in Northwest shooting

unidentified gunman riding in a car near the U Street corridor in Northwest Washington opened fire Thursday afternoon, injuring two people, according to police and a D.C. council member.

The shooting took place around 2:40 p.m. at 14th and V Streets NW. The intersection is one block north of the busy U Street corridor.

Council Member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), who said he was briefed by police, said authorities are investigating whether the shooting stemmed from a rivalry between two gangs, the “7th and O St. crew” and the “9th and R St. crew.”

One victim was shot in the ankle, said Officer Tisha Gant, a police spokeswoman. A second victim also was injured, but the extent of that person’s injuries were not clear. Both were transported to a local hospital.

Graham said authorities are looking for a green Honda that fled the scene. He said police told him that the second victim was also shot in the ankle. Both are around 19 years old, Graham said authorities told him.

Graham said police told him that the victims ran south along 14th St after the shooting, toward U St.

Graham said the daytime shooting heightens concerns about gang violence in the city. “It’s an absolute outrage,” he said. “We’ve got to send a much tougher message to those involved in gang violence.”

The city’s text and email emergency notification system, AlertDC, described the suspect as a male about 5 feet six inches, 130 lbs, wearing a tan jacket and blue jeans.

 

Posted in: Two injured in Northwest shooting