Two Dead After Multiple Shots Fired On 11th Street

At least two people are dead after an apparent rolling shoot-out Sunday night on 11th Street near Pennsylvania Avenue SE.

Nearby residents say it appeared occupants of two vehicles shot at one another as they raced on the 900 to 500 blocks of 11th Street SE. The firefight ended in a crash on the 500 block.

Police were reluctant to call it a “shoot-out”, noting they had no look out for another vehicle or any other victims. At a news conference shortly after midnight, First District Commander Tasha Bryant would not speculate on the nature of the shooting, saying it was too early in the investigation, though she did concede that “multiple, I can say, multiple” shots were fired.

The 3-block closed scene spans an area from one block south and west of Watkins Elementary School (420 12th St. SE) past the grounds of Tyler Elementary School (1001 G St. SE) down to I Street, near the entry to the i-695.

Police orginally sent an alert for the 400 block of 11th Street SE.

At a press conference shortly after midnight, Bryant said there was little information at this time, as the investigation was in early stages. Bryant said that the shooting started arount 8:20 p.m. March 12; police were called to the scene at the same time but were already headed to the scene after hearing gunshots.

Residents in the area said they heard multiple, possibly dozens of rapid shots prior to a big bang, likely the crash itself. Bryant could not confirm the number but agreed there were multiple shots fired. She said some other vehicles were struck during the crash, resulting in property damage but thankfully no reported bystander injuries.

Occupants were found shot in one car after it came to a crashing stop into parked cars on the 500 block of 11th Street SE. Bryant confirmed these included one who person was dead when located. A second person was pronounced dead at hospital. Bryant said those were the only shooting victims at this time.

A third man, who was in the vehicle with the victims, was located at the scene. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the traffic crash.

No lookout was offered Sunday. Bryant said there was little immediate information as the investigation was in such early stages.

The First District Commander asked anyone with any knowledge about the incident to come forward. “We don’t have a lot to go on right now,” Bryant said. “So any tips, anyone that may have been in the area when this happened –we’re asking everyone to please contact us. No tip is too small.”

Roads were closed Sunday evening for the investigation, including the eastbound lanes of 1000-1100 of Pennsylvania Avenue SE as well as the 500 and 600 blocks of 11th Street SE (between Pennsylvania Avenue and I (eye) Streets SE).

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact MPD Command Information Center at 202-727-9099 or text tips, video or photos anonymously to the MPD Text Tip Line at 50411.

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide committed in the District of Columbia, bringing the total possible reward amount in this case up to $50,000.

This is a developing story. This story is updating as information becomes available. The title has been updated.

The Hill Rag reports on violent and armed crime on Capitol Hill and in the surrounding neighborhoods.