WASHINGTON — Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that happened Friday morning in Northeast D.C., where a man was shot and killed while walking with his two children.
Police identified the man killed as Sedrick Miller, 42, of Northeast D.C.
An initial investigation found that Miller was carrying an infant in a car seat, and holding the hand of a 5-year-old child.
Hugh Carew, a spokesperson for MPD, confirmed in an email to WUSA9 that Miller was the father of these two children.
D.C. Police Commander William FitzGerald told reporters officers responded to the 2300 block of 18th Street Northeast around 8:30 a.m. Once on scene, they found a Miller shot to death. Police believe he was shot multiple times, in front of his children, by another man.
"This is a really disturbing event and we really need the public's help in this," FitzGerald told reporters. "It's one of the most horrible things we've had here in the fifth district in several years."
FitzGerald told reporters the children are safe and with their mother.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to call D.C. Police at 202-727-9099 or text 50411.
Lauraline Gregory, who lives in the neighborhood where the shooting occurred, told WUSA9 she is worried about the mental health of the children who witnessed the fatal shooting.
"Vile and wicked world that we don't even honor babies anymore," Gregory said. "Who would want to harm a baby? Or someone who's caring for a baby?"
This is the third instance this year in D.C. where a parent has been shot in front their children.
Pamela Thomas was struck and killed Feb. 8 in Northeast D.C. by a stray bullet in front of her 8-year-old son. Sierra Johnson — who was pregnant — was shot and killed in a car on Jan. 19 in Northwest D.C., where her two young children were passengers.
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