NAFEESA SYEED, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The crowd of people targeted in a drive-by shooting that killed four and wounded five others had just returned from the funeral of a victim of another recent shooting nearby, a witness said Wednesday.
Two adults and a juvenile were being charged in Tuesday night's shooting, the worst in D.C. in at least 16 years. Police haven't said whether it was related to another shooting about a mile and a half away March 22. The suspected shooter in that case has also been arrested.
The shootings occurred in a neighborhood known for drugs and related violence about 7 miles from the White House. As police investigated, friends and relatives of the victims returned to the scene, where a blood-covered gauze package lay on a sidewalk that smelled of bleach. Four teddy bears were placed by steps leading to an apartment building.
The owner of the building said about 15 people were standing around when he heard gunshots about 7:30 p.m. William Cheek said he had just walked across the street to buy a lottery ticket when he turned around and saw many people had fallen to the ground. His 20-year-old grandson was among the victims.
"I saw him breathe his last breath," Cheek said, a tear running down his face. "He was shot in the head."
Cheek didn't want to identify his grandson but said he was enrolled in a GED class, played basketball and hoped to become a long-distance bus driver.
"They got shot right on my porch," said Cheek, a case manager at a local community center with programs on substance abuse, job training and anger management.
Neighbor Victoria Jones said young people in the area often go to Cheek for support and gather in front of his house. Her 18-year-old son lost his best friend in the shooting.
Orlander Carter, 20, and Nathaniel Simms, 26, were to be arraigned on murder charges Wednesday. It was unclear what charge the juvenile faced and whether they had attorneys.
Police said the victims were six men and three women. All were in their 20s and 30s, except for one teenager, officials said.
The D.C. councilman who represents the area, former Mayor Marion Barry, said a dispute between "crews" — neighborhood groups that are not as organized as gangs — led to the shooting.
The crowd in front of Cheek's house had just returned from a funeral for Jordan Howe, who was killed on March 22 over a bracelet, police said. Witnesses said Sanquan Carter, 19, was upset about a stolen bracelet and began patting down people in the neighborhood before he shot Howe.
Witnesses reported Carter and at least one other person firing weapons.
Carter has been charged with second-degree murder. His attorney had no comment.
It was unclear whether he is related to Orlander Carter.
Ross Rauls, 26, said he had been to Howe's funeral and went with a group of friends to a wooded area afterward where they shared memories of their friend. He said he headed to the gym, while the others went to Cheek's building.
"It's sad when the last thing you say to them is 'I'll see you later,'" he said.
He said the young men shot were not gang members.
"They weren't that type of people. It wasn't gang-related," Rauls said. "It's a classic case of the wrong place, the wrong time."
Rico Scott said his cousin, 19-year-old DeVaughn Boyd, was one of those killed.
Boyd was a high school senior who liked to go to the mall and the movies with friends, as well as parties that featured go-go music, a mix of soul, funk and Latin styles, Scott said.
It was at least the worst shooting in D.C. since 1994, when four men fired into a crowd at the O Street Market, killing a teenager and wounding eight other people. A man was convicted of orchestrating the shooting to retaliate against people who had shot him in the stomach and robbed him several weeks earlier. He believed the people who had attacked him often visited the market.
Washington reported 143 homicides last year, the fewest in nearly 50 years.
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Associated Press writers Matthew Barakat, Jessica Gresko, Sarah Karush and Brett Zongker contributed to this report.
THIS WAS AN UPDATE. EARLIER STORY APPEARS BELOW
WASHINGTON (AP) — A gunman sprayed bullets from a moving vehicle into a crowd in southeastern Washington, killing four and wounding at least five others, before leading police on a chase into a neighboring county.
Three people were arrested in the drive-by shooting Tuesday, but investigators said the motive wasn't clear.
Six men and three women were hit by the gunfire around 7:30 p.m., said D.C. Police Department spokesman Officer Hugh Carew. Fire Department spokesman Pete Piringer says all were in their 20s and 30s, except for one teenager.
By late Tuesday, one victim had died at the scene, a second was pronounced dead at the hospital and the third died in the operating room, hospital officials said. Early the next day, police spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump said the fourth victim had died.
Four D.C. officers were slightly injured while chasing a suspect's vehicle into neighboring Prince George's County in Maryland, authorities said. A weapon was also recovered.
The Washington Post reported that police pursued a van from the scene, aided by a helicopter.
The shootings were in a neighborhood near a water treatment plant and Bolling Air Force Base. Sections of southeastern D.C. have problems with crime, but residents told local media they were surprised by the violence and didn't consider the neighborhood dangerous.
However, D.C. Councilman Phil Mendelson said that the area where the shooting happened is known for drugs and related violence.
"It's not a stranger to violent activity, unfortunately," said Mendelson, the chairman of the D.C. Council's Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary.
Mendelson said he didn't have further details on the investigation.
Washington reported 143 homicides last year, the fewest in nearly 50 years.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
