A shooting incident in an area near a concert event in Washington, DC, on Sunday night, resulted in the death of a 15-year-old boy and three adults sustaining injuries, including a police officer.
According to authorities, the gunshot occurred around 14th and U streets Northwest, in a popular shopping, dining, and entertainment district. "Moechella," a free concert celebrating Juneteenth, was staged in the vicinity, per a report from ABC News.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert Contee said a separate incident at the performance where a brawl occurred per a police report.
Chief Contee and city officials provide an update regarding a shooting with multiple victims shot, including an MPD officer, that occurred this evening in the area of 14th and U Street, NW. https://t.co/j2w5yXqvPZ
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) June 20, 2022
A second incident occurred shortly after that, according to Contee, during which "people started to scatter," and others were "trampled."
Concert Cancelled Due to Dangerous Situation
The concert was scheduled to start at 4 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. However, Contee stated that police decided to shut it down early because the situation appeared dangerous following the two incidents in the area.
According to authorities, the crimes occurred between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.
"Hundreds of people" had amassed on the street, and the MPD assisted in keeping the mob to the sidewalk, police said.
A firearm was recovered while assisting persons caught in the stampede, according to Contee.
Authorities said the two adult victims and the police officer are healing at a local hospital.
DC Police Union tweeted that one of its members had been shot and was "in stable condition" after being transferred to the hospital.
The Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives said it was helping the MPD.
The event was dubbed "Moechella" after a series of concerts conducted a few years earlier to protest the prohibition of go-go music in particular and Black culture in general.
Though, per News 18, Contee said the concert did not have a permit.
One person shared his experience of the horrific incident on Twitter.
"There was some type of shooting or something at Moechella. I ain't never run and jump over people like that in my life," the tweet stated.
No Evidence of Planned Attack So Far
As of present reporting, it was unclear if a shooting caused the second incident.
Media reports stated police and emergency services arrived promptly to treat the wounded.
Contee said initial clues indicated that all four victims were shot with the same pistol, and there was no evidence that any of them had been targeted, per Washington Post.
He noted that the crowd was dense, with around 100 police officers present. He added that no officers fired their firearms, and there was no evidence of a shootout between the victims and the offender.
On Sunday, there were multiple shootings in the city, including one at 14th and U streets NW.
In one of the incidents, a teenage girl died in the 4400 block of Third Street SE.
During a press conference on Sunday night, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser called for accountability, USA Today reported.
"We have a child who was killed today at an event that did not have any proper planning. We need some accountability here," he said.
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