Washington, D.C. — A woman was fatally shot Tuesday afternoon on a sidewalk in Southeast Washington after what police described as a personal dispute that escalated into deadly violence.
The shooting occurred shortly before 1 p.m. at the intersection of Morris Road SE and Pitts Place SE, in the Barry Farm neighborhood. According to police, the victim had been involved in an altercation earlier in the day with a man and another woman. The confrontation resumed in the afternoon, culminating in a chase that ended with the fatal shooting on the sidewalk.
D.C. Police Chief Pamela A. Smith said in a brief news conference Tuesday afternoon that the fatal incident appeared to stem from a “ongoing dispute and they have been in conflict for some time.”
Authorities have not released the name of the victim, pending notification of family.
Witnesses reported hearing shouting before several gunshots rang out. Neighbors described a chaotic scene as residents rushed to help the woman before first responders arrived.
The D.C. Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant at a residence linked to the suspects Tuesday evening. Two individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the shooting. Police said they are being questioned but have not been identified publicly or formally charged as the shooter.
The investigation remains active, and officials urged anyone with information or video footage to come forward.
The fatal shooting adds to a troubling uptick in gun violence in the District. As of Tuesday, D.C. has recorded more than 69 homicides this year, according to police statistics — a pace that continues to unsettle many residents across the city.
“It’s frustrating, very very frustrating,” Chief Smith said. “We sat down as a team this weekend combing through to see if there is a nexus and again, it’s personal conflict.”
