WASHINGTON — A man was found shot dead near Catholic University campus, sparking a shelter in place alert Monday night. Investigators later determined the man was shot elsewhere, and said there was no threat to the campus.
Catholic University alerted anyone who was on campus Monday night to shelter in place due to what they are calling an "active threat." About an hour later, that alert was lifted.
"Those on main campus of Catholic University are asked to immediately SHELTER IN PLACE due to an active threat. This is not a drill. Details to follow," the university posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to the report a shooting near campus earlier in the evening.
According to MPD, the shooting happened just before 8 p.m. in the 400 block of Michigan Avenue Northeast. When officers arrived, they found a man had been shot. Police say the man was not conscious or breathing when help reached him.
Police later identified the victim as 38-year-old Ruben Jesus Muñoz-Romero of Takoma Park, Maryland. His family has started a GoFundMe page to help his seven children.
The shooting investigation shut down some nearby roads to traffic, but police activity cleared early Tuesday morning. All roads have reopened.
In a statement released by the police department after midnight on Tuesday, investigators believe the shooting did not occur on the campus and the wounded man traveled by moped to Michigan Avenue Northwest, where he was found.
Catholic University President Peter Kilpatrick sent a letter to the community about what happened, saying the man collapsed and died directly in front of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
"Please join me in praying for the soul of the victim who lost his life, and offer our prayers and our sincerest condolences to his friends and family. We do not believe the victim has any connection to Catholic University," Kilpatrick said.
Homicide detectives continue to investigate exactly what happened. The circumstances leading up to the shooting are not yet known. Anyone who may have information for detectives is asked to contact the police department at 202-727-9099 or text the department's tip line at 50411.