DC police shot and killed a teenager in Southeast Wednesday afternoon, prompting a group of protesters to gather outside the Seventh District police station.
The incident took place in the 200 block of Orange Street around 4 pm, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The person killed has been identified as 18-year-old Deon Kay.
Among the crowd outside the police station were Kay’s relatives, including his aunt.
The MPD Internal Affairs Bureau are currently investigating the officers involved in the shooting, and reviewing footage of their body-worn cameras, which were active during the incident. The officers have also been placed on administrative leave.
"I’m tired of that shyt because my tax money just paid for that young man to get murdered…We are paying them to assassinate us. Its not right” 💔
18 y/o black child just became another hashtag #JusticeForDeon in DC
Deon Kay was murdered today by policepic.twitter.com/KXizUwD5ZY
— StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_) September 3, 2020
A press release issued by MPD stated that uniformed patrol officers were investigating a man with a gun in the area, based on a tip they received. When they encountered individuals in and around a vehicle at the described location, two men fled on foot. One of them brandished a firearm during the police’s chase. An officer fired their weapon one time, in response to the threat, and shot the suspect, who was later identified as Kay.
Kay had life threatening injuries and was transported by the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services to an area hospital for treatment. He was later pronounced dead.
Another man managed to escape and was not captured.
Police arrested 19 year-old Marcyelle Smith and 18 year-old Deonte Brown, both of Southeast DC, at the scene. Smith was charged for carrying a pistol without a license and Brown was charged with “no permit.”
MPD also shared an image of a handgun found on Kay.
The police encouraged anyone with information that could help the investigation advance to contact them at (202) 727-9099.
DC Councilmember Trayon White told the media on Wednesday that he is planning to ask for body camera footage from the shooting.
The District is required to release footage from body cameras within five days of a deadly shooting, and publicize the names of the officers involved, as per an emergency measure introduced in June.