A dangerous wave of gun violence swept through Washington, D.C. on the evening of April 10, 2024, leaving two people dead and seven injured, among them young children. The community was stunned by the string of shootings that occurred in various neighborhoods over a period of fewer than five hours.
The first incident happened at around 6:10 p.m. in the Carver Langston neighborhood, an ordinarily peaceful area that suddenly became a scene of tragedy. Officers responding to the scene on the 1100 block of 21st Street NE found 29-year-old Aubrey McLeod from Largo, Maryland dead. Three adults and a nine-year-old child were also found injured but their wounds were not life-threatening. In a subsequent development, a 12-year-old boy walked into a nearby hospital on his own, also suffering from gunshot wounds from the same incident. Authorities believe that the attackers exited their vehicle and opened fire on a crowd on the street.
Later in the night, more shootings occurred. At around 9:15 p.m. police officers rushed to another scene on the 3500 block of 10th Street NW. They discovered a severely wounded man who was immediately transported to a hospital. Unfortunately, a second individual from the same incident later succumbed to injuries after making it to the hospital independently.
Just before 11 p.m. another shooting was reported on the 1800 block of Benning Road NW. A man with gunshot wounds was transported to the hospital by emergency services, adding to the count of those affected by the evening’s events. Authorities are currently searching for two suspects, believed to be using a moped, in connection with this series of violent incidents.
In the aftermath of these incidents, community leaders and residents are calling for action. A local father who has lost three sons to gun violence expressed a desperate need for assistance, highlighting the necessity for more than just thoughts and prayers. “We need help,” he declared during an interview, a feeling shared by many in the community who are tired of such violent disruptions in their lives.
The city’s police department has increased patrols in response to the incidents and has released images of a vehicle believed to be involved in at least one of the shootings, in an attempt to catch those responsible for the violence. The community remains vigilant and distressed as investigators continue their work to piece together the sequence of events, while mourning the loss of life and supporting the survivors.
Last year, the District of Columbia saw a significant surge in violent crime, with rates increasing by 39%. This included an alarming 35% rise in homicides and a near doubling in carjackings. In response to this troubling trend, local authorities have stepped up legislative efforts to enforce stricter penalties for gun-related offenses in the capital.
