WASHINGTON — Police say a student has been shot and hospitalized outside KIPP DC College Preparatory school in Northeast D.C. The school is currently in "secure the building" status, meaning students must remain indoors, while the investigation is underway.
Police and firefighters responded to the 1400 block of Brentwood Parkway Northeast right around 10:30 a.m. for a report of a shooting. They found a person shot. Vito Maggiolo, a spokesperson for DC Fire and EMS, said the person was an "older juvenile male." Police estimate the boy's age as 17.
A KIPP DC spokesperson told WUSA9 that the boy shot was a student shot while on his way to class. He was running late. Emergency crews said the boy's injuries were not considered life-threatening. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Metropolitan Police Department investigators say they are on the lookout for a man with a bush hairstyle who is about 120 to 130 pounds. He is about 5 feet 7 inches tall and was last seen driving a white Hyundai Elantra and armed with a handgun.
In a press conference Friday morning, police said the shooting was a "targeted event." A white four-door sedan was seen following the student before the shooting, and polize said shots were fired from the car.
Investigators say the student was shot in the calf by someone in the car, then went to the campus for help.
KIPP DC sent a letter to families informing them of what happened.
"The safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities, and we are cooperating fully with the authorities. We understand that incidents like these can be concerning. We know that such incidents can cause stress and anxiety. If your family would like to be put in touch with mental health team members, please reach out to your child’s principal," the letter said in part.
KIPP said the student is in stable condition.
So far, no arrests have been made. Police ask anyone who may have information to contact them at 202-727-9099 or text the department's tip line at 50411.
"To the parents that know what’s going on, what’s causing these beefs, these arguments that can escalate and introduce a gun into the equation ... please talk to your young folks and then reach out to the police department and let us know what’s going on so we can stay ahead of this," Assistant Chief Andre Wright said.
This is not the first time someone has been shot outside KIPP DC this year. A student was also shot outside the school in May.