WASHINGTON — Police say a gunshot victim was given Narcan on Sunday after first responders mistakenly believed he was suffering from a suspect overdose when he was found slumped over a park bench in Northwest D.C.
At 9:37 p.m., officers with the Metropolitan Police Department responded to McPherson Square for the sounds of gunshots. At the scene, officers located a man who had been shot. He died at the scene.
Police say when the man was first located, he was found slumped over a park bench in possession of drug paraphernalia and it was not apparent to responding officers and EMS that the victim was shot. As a suspected drug overdose, he was provided Narcan. He was pronounced dead a short time later.
The OCME forensic investigator who responded to the scene found a gunshot wound on the man's body. It was later determined Narcan was unnecessary in this case. Health officials say Narcan does not have any effect on someone who doesn't need it and did not cause further damage in this case.
The man was later identified as 56-year-old Leo Colter, of no fixed address.
The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide committed in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by sending a text message to 50411.
READ NEXT:
WATCH NEXT:
A homeless encampment in McPherson Square will be no more. But where will all the people living there go next?