Two People Shot and Killed and Two Others Wounded, Including a Two-Year Old Girl, in a Shooting in Southeast Washington D.C.; Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Respond

Washington, D.C. – The District of Columbia chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued a statement following a shooting in Southeast Washington D.C. yesterday morning where two people were shot and killed and two others were shot and wounded, including a two-year old girl. While details are still emerging, police said that the toddler was shot moments after stepping out of her daycare with employees to go on a daily walk with her classmates. Police are currently looking for suspects. 

“Yesterday’s shooting is yet another preventable tragedy and reminder that nobody in America is safe from gun violence, not even the youngest among us,” said Fernando Smith, a volunteer Chapter Lead with the District of Columbia chapter of Moms Demand Action. “With gun violence being the number one killer for children and teens in Washington D.C, our local leaders must utilize a holistic plan to address gun violence for the public health crisis it is – most importantly by funding lifesaving community violence intervention programs. Through continued collaboration and support, our local officials and these programs can fight against the root causes of gun violence and make our communities safer.” 

“Time and time again, young people in America are faced with our gun violence crisis just for being at school or daycare – somewhere we deserve to feel safe,” said Emma Vonder Haar, a volunteer leader with the Georgetown University Students Demand Action chapter. “Yesterday’s tragedy is a reminder of why we continue to advocate for our leaders to put our safety first. From continuing to strengthen our gun safety laws to increasing support for community violence intervention programs, these are the ways that our local leaders can invest in a safer future for all of us.” 

There have been 30 fewer homicides with a gun in Washington D.C. so far compared with this same date last year, according to data from the MPD. While there is no one solution to end gun violence, community violence intervention programs play a key role in making cities safer. City leaders, local groups, and residents are driving solutions to reduce gun violence and increase safety in their communities through these programs, and leaders and legislators must invest in these evidence-based interventions to address the root causes of gun violence. 

D.C.’s lawmakers should continue to prioritize robust support for the city’s growing network of violence interrupters, giving them the resources they need to prevent cycles of gun violence. Through models including street outreach that actively works to mediate conflicts and prevent retaliatory violence, Group Violence Intervention (GVI) programs where members of violent groups hear from law enforcement, social service organizations, and community members that the violence must stop, and Hospital-Based Violence Intervention programs (HVIPs) for patients while they are still in the hospital, these programs are at work in the most impacted neighborhoods across their communities. More information about community violence intervention programs can be found here. 

In an average year, 154 people die by guns in the District of Columbia and another 927 are wounded. 92% of gun deaths in the District of Columbia are by firearm homicide. More information about firearm deaths in the District of Columbia can be found here.