Washington, D.C. – A tragic incident unfolded at the Brookland Metro Station in Northeast on Thursday afternoon, resulting in the death of a teenage boy who was fatally shot. The suspect remains at large as D.C. police intensify efforts to locate the individual responsible for the violent act.
According to Deputy Chief Maurice McKinney of Metro Transit Police, a group of teenagers was engaged in a physical altercation inside the metro station just before 4 p.m. A suspect who was not part of the fight pulled out a firearm and opened fire, leading to the fatal shooting of the teenage boy. While the victim was involved in the altercation, authorities are uncertain if he was the intended target of the shooter.
Following the shooting, efforts to resuscitate the victim were made by authorities, but tragically, he was pronounced dead at the scene by D.C. Fire and EMS personnel. The identity of the deceased teenager has not been disclosed at this time.
In response to the incident, law enforcement officers took swift action to ensure the safety of patrons at the Brookland station. Special police officers on the platform were able to shield individuals and guide them to safety amidst the chaos caused by the gunfire.
The Brookland Metro Station was temporarily closed as authorities conducted an investigation into the shooting. Regular service at the station resumed later in the evening, around 9:50 p.m., in efforts to restore normalcy to the area. Additionally, both D.C. police and Metro Transit Police have boosted their presence at the station to enhance security measures.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the shooting, nearby institutions like the Catholic University of America have ramped up security measures to safeguard their students and staff. Following the incident, the university briefly issued a shelter-in-place order on its main campus, which was later lifted once law enforcement confirmed there was no active threat in the area.
In light of the ongoing investigation, D.C. police are urging anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward and contact the department. The search for the suspected shooter continues, as authorities work diligently to bring the individual to justice.
The community remains on edge following this tragic event, as residents and authorities alike seek answers and justice in the wake of this senseless act of violence.