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Teen shot to death in parking lot of Roosevelt High School

Family told WUSA9 that the victim is Jefferson Pérez, 17.

WASHINGTON — Two schools were placed on lockdown and police are investigating after a teen was found shot in the parking lot of a D.C. high school Wednesday afternoon.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, officers were called to Theodore Roosevelt High School in the 4300 block of 13th Street Northwest just before 2:30 p.m. 

When officers arrived, they found a teenage boy suffering from a gunshot wound in the high school parking lot. 

The boy, a 17-year-old Roosevelt High School student, was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

WUSA9 spoke to the victim's grandmother who identified the boy as Jefferson Pérez.

In a press conference, MPD Assistant Chief Morgan Kane said the boy was in class at some point but it is unclear when exactly he left. Investigators have watched a lot of videos and learned there was some sort of altercation in the parking lot before the shooting happened. Additionally, a gun was found in the parking lot. 

DC Public Schools has confirmed that Roosevelt High School and MacFarland Middle School were on lockdown status while police investigate. The lockdowns have since lifted.

The Washington Teachers' Union issued a statement following the incident calling the shooting an "unspeakable tragedy." 

"Schools should be safe havens for all students and school employees, who should never worry that they won’t make it home. This episode emphasizes the need for community schools, which provide much-needed wraparound services for students and their families, especially mental health services, counseling and mentoring. While the city is dealing with the proliferation of crime, DCPS must make sure that our kids get the academic, social and emotional help they need to thrive,” the statement reads.

Police have not released any information regarding a motive.

Kane said police are asking anyone who witnesses the shooting to come forward and speak with detectives. 

"We really need to hear from those people who were on scene today so we can bring justice to the family," said Kane. 

Anyone with information can contact detectives by calling (202) 727-9099 or text 50411. 

Officers were on the lookout for a possibly green BMW. Kane said police have located that vehicle and spoken with the owner. 

"We don't want to see any gun violence in our city, certainly not among our children," D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said at the scene. "We regard our schools as the safest place for our children. Sadly, we have a young person outside of the school building during the school hours, and we have people, we think, in our community who can tell us more, so we want to get in touch with them as soon as possible."

Roosevelt High School Principal Courtney Wilkerson said students and staff will receive additional support Thursday from the DC Public Schools Mental Health Supports Team.

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