WASHINGTON — A mass shooting in Northeast D.C. has left nine people injured, including a teenager and a child, early Wednesday morning.
Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department responded to Meade Street Northeast, nearby 47th Place Northeast, just before 1 a.m. after receiving a report of a shooting in the area. Upon arrival at the scene, they learned that multiple people had been hurt in the shooting.
In a press conference Wednesday, MPD's Acting Chief Leslie Parsons said a group of people was celebrating the Fourth of July when a dark-colored SUV sped through the block, stopped and began shooting.
Several people were taken to an area hospital by DC Fire and EMS, while police say others were able to take themselves for treatment. All of those injured are expected to survive.
Police say there were a total of nine victims in the shooting including a 10-year-old and a 17-year-old.
"I'm not 'OK," said the mother who hosted the 4th of July celebration, "I was sweeping the street and everyone was going home when I heard, 'pop, pop, pop.' I thought it was fireworks and then I looked up and saw a dark SUV with guys hanging out the windows and sunroof with guns and we just yelled at the kids to go in the house! We literally picked up some kids and threw them in the house."
Tomeko didn't give WUSA9 her last name, but shared with us that the 10-year-old who was shot was her nephew. He was heading home and by his mother's car when he was hit.
"His brother came around the corner holding him crying and saying my brother got shot!" she recalled.
She said her nephew is in stable condition, was up and talking Wednesday afternoon but had trouble moving because the bullet is still lodged in his lower back.
Tomeko told WUSA9 she's hosted the 4th of July celebrations for many years with no fights or violence. While it was unclear police responded to a request by the ANC Commissioner to be present at the block party, Tomeko recalled seeing several officer at the end of Meade Street. She said, however, 10 minutes after they let the shooting occurred.
"I'm not having any more of these parties, because I don't want people's blood on my hands," she cried.
Currently, authorities are looking for the dark-colored SUV that is considered to be connected to the shooting incident. Police say the shooting appears to be targeted.
"We have too many guns and too many violent people on the street," said DC Mayor Muriel Bowser during the press conference.
Police say the suspect’s vehicle may be a blue Hyundai Tucson which was last seen displaying DC tags GC5338.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s tipline by sending a text message to 50411.