Data Shows Shootings Decreased by Fifty Percent from April to May 

By Adrianna Bhan [former] , Hope Hamerslough [former], Belinda Miguel [former], Ben Dickson [former] - June 5, 2024
Daily Stories | Featured | Homicides | Shooting | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

D.C. Witness data shows that in May there were 21 non-fatal shooting victims, a 50 percent decrease from April, which reported 42 non-fatal shooting victims in the District, as reported by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) . 

Homicides decreased by 11 percent, May had 15 homicide victims, and April recording 17 homicides.

Among the non-fatal shootings, MPD officers wounded an individual who was experiencing a mental health crisis and allegedly stabbed a responding officer on May 18.  

According to MPD documents in another incident, officers responded to the 2400 block of Virginia Avenue, NW, for a welfare check, and requested assistance from the Behavioral Health’s Community Response Team for an individual in crisis. 

The individual, later identified as Jonathan Jefferson, 28, was determined an immediate danger to himself or others, and, as MPD officers attempted to handcuff him, he allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed an officer. 

Another officer used a Taser on Jefferson, but it didn’t work. Finally, an officer had to shoot Jefferson to subdue him according to MPD documents. 

Jefferson was arrested and charged with four counts of assault on a police officer. 

The shooting remains under internal investigation.

On May 4, officers responded to Dunbar High School on the 1200 block of Kirby Street, NW, for the report of a shooting. According to MPD documents, a juvenile girl sustained a graze wound to the head after a stray bullet entered her classroom through the window. 

Police arrested Azhari Graves, 18, and Saki Frost, 17, shortly after. Frost is being charged as an adult under Title 16. They are facing two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, for their alleged involvement in the shooting. 

MPD is continuing its investigation of the fatal shooting of a toddler that occurred on May 3 on the 2300 block of Hartford Street, SE. 

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the sounds of gunshots and a short time later, a three-year-old female was located at a nearby fire station on the 2400 block of Irving Street, SE, suffering from a gunshot wound. 

Despite all life-saving efforts, she was pronounced dead. The victim was identified as three-year-old Ty’ah Settles. 

MPD is offering a reward to anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest of conviction of any potential suspects.