WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- Two people were shot across the entrance to the National Zoo, one in the arm and another in the hand.
Their injuries are said to be non-life-threatening.
WUSA9's Bruce Johnson heard shots being fired as thousands came to celebrate 'African American Day & Easter Monday.'
Par'ris Thompson said, after hearing the gunshots, she had one thing in mind: "To get away from those gunshots and go back inside the zoo. Everybody started running back inside the zoo, I mean, it was complete and total chaos," she said.
This is not the first Easter Monday at the National Zoo that has turned violent. In 2011, a fight and stabbing. In 2000, a 16-year-old shot seven people near the zoo's entrance. In the past, youth have used this day to settle neighborhood beefs.
"We have no indication that that was the cause of this incident. No motive right now," said Commander Michael Reese with D.C. Police.
Still, based on the history of violence on Easter Monday, police were in and around the zoo all day, anticipating that something could happen.
"We were not expecting this but we had a heavy police presence up here. We don't want shootings to occur but we had multiple agencies. This is a very festive event and numerous times nothing happened here but it's very important for us to show a force here," added Commander Reese.
"There's not supposed to be all this nonsense at the zoo," said a seemingly frustrated Thompson. "People are supposed to come look at animals and have fun with their families at the zoo."
Police continue to search for the person or persons responsible for the shooting. If you have any information, they ask you contact the Metropolitan Police Department.
