By Five people were injured in a shooting on Friday night in Northeast Washington DC, according to D.C. police.
The victims, which included four men and one woman, sustained injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, based on the initial report from authorities.
The shooting occurred around 8:20 p.m. on the 1500 block of Harry Thomas Way NE, located in the Eckington neighborhood just north of New York Avenue. The area is home to several apartment buildings.
This incident comes during a period of heightened awareness regarding mass violence and general security concerns. Attention has been particularly focused following the tragic killings on New Year’s morning in New Orleans and in anticipation of large-scale gatherings expected in the city in the coming days.
In this case, however, police reported that all individuals involved were acquainted, and the shooting arose from a dispute among them. Details about how the five people were connected and the nature of their disagreement were not immediately available.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers found two men and a woman, according to a preliminary police report. All three were conscious and breathing when they were transported to a hospital, authorities said.
Two additional men arrived at a hospital later via private transportation. Police believe they were also injured in the same incident. Both men were reported to be conscious and breathing upon arrival.
The shooting is currently under investigation. With the New Year just three days old, this incident marked the largest number of victims in a single shooting so far this year. It also contrasts with a declining trend in violent crime that the city experienced over the past year.
This incident occurred just a day after the city recorded its first two homicides of the year. In one case, 48-year-old Eugene Jefferson of Southeast was found dead Thursday afternoon in the hallway of a building on the unit block of 18th Street SE, according to police
An autopsy conducted on Friday confirmed that the victim had died from a gunshot wound.
In a separate incident, 24-year-old Corey Ward Jr., of Northeast D.C., was fatally shot shortly before 10 p.m. on Thursday in the 5200 block of Just Street NE, according to police.
At this time, authorities have not released any information regarding suspects or motives in either case.
The city saw a decline in homicides last year compared to the previous year, mirroring the general downward trend in violent crime.
On Wednesday, in response to the mass shooting in New Orleans, D.C. police issued a statement emphasizing that no threats of a similar event had been reported locally. However, the department increased its security measures “out of an abundance of caution.”
Residents can expect a noticeable increase in police presence throughout the city as part of these heightened security efforts, police said.
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