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6 persons of interest sought in fatal Shaw shooting

Six persons of interest are being sought in the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old outside of the Shaw Metro station.
Six persons of interest in fatal Shaw shooting

 

WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- Six persons of interest are being sought in the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old American University graduate outside of the Shaw Metro station on Saturday, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier announced in a press conference Monday.

Matthew Shlonsky was on his way to meet friends when he was caught in the crossfire in the area of 7th and S Street, Northwest. 

PREVIOUS: More violence, more patrols & more work to do in Shaw

On Monday, police released surveillance video of six persons of interest and two vehicles of interest in connection with the shooting.

One of the vehicles of interest, a burgundy Chrysler 300, was recovered this weekend and Lanier said it was stolen in an Aug. 11th burglary in Bowie, Md.

Police say they consider the three people involved in the Aug. 11th burglary to be persons of interest in the fatal shooting of Shlonsky. 

The Chrysler 300 was seen fleeing the area shortly after shots were fired and Lanier said it is unclear whether shots were fired from the vehicle. 

RELATED: 23-year-old shot and killed outside Shaw Metro station

Shlonsky died as a result of the gunshot wounds he sustained during the shooting, but police say they do not believe he was the intended target. 

After the shooting, police say the occupants in the Chrysler 300 had interactions with several other people. At 6th and S Street NW, police say the Chrysler 300 was observed operating on the wrong side of the road. 

According to police, the driver of the Chrysler 300 then exchanged words with another driver and pointed a hand gun at the other car before speeding away. 

The Chrysler 300 was seen again in the 1900 block of 4th Street NW traveling at a high rate of speed. It was reported to police that the driver of the Chrysler 300 exchanged words with an individual before rolling down the window and firing shots at that individual. 

The driver of the Chrysler 300 is described by police as a black male with dark complexion in his 20s with dreadlocks or twists in his hair. 

Shaw's neighborhood commissioner told WUSA9's Bruce Leshan the shooting erupted after an illegal craps game nearby.

"They're illegal and they're illegal for a reason. I can't tell you how many shootings and homicides we have every year, and this year in particular where there are craps games going on sometimes inside of an apartment or home, sometimes out on the street, where shots are fired and people are killed over those craps games," said Lanier. 

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police. 

In Monday's press conference, Lanier said 52 people have been arrested in D.C. for homicide so far this year. There were 38 homicide arrests last year in D.C. at this time. In addition, Lanier said 102 illegal firearms have been recovered in the last 30 days.

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