There is an ongoing search for a suspect in a terrible mass shooting in Washington, D.C.
The tragedy occurred in the wee hours of the morning, killing two people and injuring five more, as reported by the authorities. The Gun Violence Archive defines a mass shooting as an occurrence in which four or more people are hurt or killed (not including the perpetrator).
The District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department’s Executive Assistant Chief Jeffrey Carroll has confirmed that a shooting has taken place in the northwest region of the city, close to downtown.
As of Sunday night, details about the injuries sustained by the five victims remained unknown.
Carroll states that at about 3 a.m. ET, police officers responded to reports of gunfire. Two victims of the shooting were declared dead at the scene on Sunday night. The five casualties have not been named, but the police have said the victims were three men and two women. Everyone was an adult.
The person who was seen running south on 7th Street, away from the scene of the crime, is still being sought by investigators, according to WUSA. Carroll is pleading for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information to contact the police. Tipsters can text 50411 or call 202-727-9099.
As of yet, no information has been disclosed on the specific injuries sustained by the five victims.
The reason behind the shooting has still to be determined since the investigation is continuing. So far, detectives’ evidence has led them to believe that the victims were singled out and shot on purpose.
Tragically, 32-year-old Anthony Brown of Southeast, DC, and 32-year-old Jay Lucks of Baltimore, MD, were the victims.
The maximum award that the Metropolitan Police Department is willing to pay for information leading to an arrest is $50,000, with a maximum of $25,000 going to each victim. Only tips that result in the apprehension and incarceration of the perpetrator(s) are eligible for this reward.
There have been 32 confirmed killings in Washington, D.C., so far this year, down 32% from 47 a year ago at the same time. This data was released on Monday.