WASHINGTON — Police are investigating after a teenager was killed in a shooting in Southeast D.C. on Halloween night.
According to a tweet from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the shooting happened in the 2600 block of Birney Place just before 8:45 p.m.
Officials say a 14-year-old boy was seriously injured in the shooting. The boy was reportedly unconscious when he was transported to an area hospital where he died.
Police have not released any details regarding the teen's identity or what may have led up to the shooting. DC Police Chief Robert Contee III did say that the boy was a ninth grade student at a school in the District. Investigators believe the boy may have been targeted for unknown reasons.
"We will focus in on that to find out exactly what led to this young man's death tonight," Contee said from the scene of the shooting on Monday. He said despite it being Halloween, there did not appear to be trick-or-treaters around.
Contee said his officers are still in the preliminary stages of the investigation. There is no word on any suspect description at this time.
Contee spoke briefly about the issue of youth crime in the District.
"I've been talking about this and talking about this and talking about this for months now. About how our young people are showing up either as victims or suspects in a lot of these crimes... This family should not be grieving the loss of a 14-year-old child tonight," Contee said. "Our goal is to bring this case to closure, to bring some sense of closure to this family. It will never bring back this young man, and that's something we have to wrestle with as a community."
Police were called to the same block of Birney Place last month for a separate shooting involving a teenage boy. Chief Contee said they are investigating whether the two incidents are connected.
Anyone with information can contact MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text 50411.