The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating the shooting of a nine-year-old girl that occurred in Southeast DC on Monday evening.
The investigation is currently focusing on a car believed to be involved in the incident. Police are asking for the public’s assistance to locate a black Infiniti with tinted windows.
The girl was shot at around 5:30 pm in the 1500 block of Good Hope Road Southeast while she was walking in the street next to a family member, according to DC police.
She was reportedly transported to a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound in her lower body.
DC Police Chief Peter Newsham said at a press conference on Monday that he believed that the child was not the target of the shooting and fell victim to a stray bullet.
“It doesn’t look like she was in anyway involved, and now she is at the hospital with a bullet wound,” Newsham said. “Thankfully, we’re getting a report from the hospital that it does not appear to be a life-threatening injury. So hopefully she will make a full recovery.”
The police chief added that the black Infinity that was spotted by witnesses fleeing the scene after the shooting might have been the target.
Anyone who has information on the vehicle or the shooting is asked to contact DC police at 202-727-9099 or anonymously text the department’s tip line at 50411.
Alert: Shooting in the 1900 block of 18th Street S.E.. Lookout for black, Infinity with heavily tinted windows last seen fleeing the scene.
Have info? Call (202) 727-9099/text 50411— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) December 14, 2020
Another juvenile victim of gun violence in the District in recent weeks was one-year-old Carmelo Duncan, who was fatally shot in the 5700 block of Southern Avenue, Southeast, on December 2. He received multiple gunshot wounds while riding in a car.
A total of 194 people have been killed in the city so far this year, according to officials. The figure was 160 in 2019.
One-Year-Old Carmelo Duncan Remembered at Southeast DC Vigil