15-year-old killed, 3 people injured in gunfire at DC Juneteenth event

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said Sunday one person is dead and three others are injured, including a police officer, after shots were fired at a Juneteeth event that did not have a proper permit near Washington, D.C.’s popular U Street corridor.

MPD responded around 8:30 p.m. to the shooting at 14th and U Street. A Juneteenth celebration called Moechella was taking place at that location, which attracted hundreds of people on the sidewalks and streets of the city block.

One 15-year-old was killed in the shooting, MPD Chief Robert Contee said at a press conference on Sunday night. Two other civilians are recovering at local hospitals. The D.C. Police Union confirmed one of its members was shot and said the officer is recovering at a hospital and in stable condition.

Police said they initially broke up a confrontation between a group of individuals at the event around 6 p.m.

Then, another incident led to a scattering of the crowd, which injured several people. Police then moved to shut the event down before responding to the shooting at the Juneteenth celebration around 8:30 p.m.

Police recovered several firearms at the event. One handgun was used in the shooting, according to police, and there was not an exchange of gunfire between individuals or groups.

The Moechella event did not have a permit, but it attracted hundreds of people, Contee added. The chief said the tragedy underscores the danger of hosting large events in public spaces without proper organization.

“Unfortunately, things like this can happen when you have the wrong mix of people or people who introduce firearms into a situation,” he said.

Contee also condemned the shooting.

“Illegal firearms in the hands of people who should not have them make events like this unsafe for people who just want to enjoy the beautiful weather, who want to enjoy father’s day,” Contee said. “As we peel back the layers to see what really happened, we need to as a city make sure individuals are held accountable for their actions.”

Updated on June 20 at 8:45 a.m.