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Woman burned in SE fire was shot to death first, police investigate homicide

DC police identified the woman killed as 32-year-old Cynthia Barringer, and her death is being investigated as a homicide.

WASHINGTON — DC Police are investigating after a woman found in a burning Anacostia apartment Sunday morning was determined to have been shot to death first. Her death has been ruled a homicide. 

The fire was reported around 4:17 p.m. in the 2300 block of Green Street, Southeast, according to DC Fire and EMS. 

Arriving units were met with smoke and flames coming from the second floor of the apartment building. Crews went inside and found a woman in the apartment that was on fire. She was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. 

The fire was quickly extinguished and officials say there were no other injuries reported. 

On Monday morning, a public information officer tweeted that the woman, identified as 32-year-old Cynthia Barringer, had died from her injuries. Later in the afternoon, police confirmed she had multiple gunshot wounds, and it was determined she had been shot to death prior to the fire. 

As a result of an autopsy, the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be from a gunshot wound. The women's death was ruled a homicide.

Credit: DC Fire EMS
Woman found dead in house fire

Firefighters returned to the neighborhood Monday morning to canvass and spread fire safety literature. Officials say they will also be conducting safety inspections and smoke detector checks. 

Investigators said there were smoke alarms present at Sunday's fire, and the cause of the fire still remains under investigation.

DC Fire and EMS said there have been 12 fatal fires so far this year.

RELATED: 13 displaced, three rescued, one in critical condition after NW DC fire Saturday morning

RELATED: Multiple children home during fire that killed 7-year-old girl

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