A student from Thurgood Marshall Academy was shot and killed Wednesday night, while trying to fend off an attacker, who was also killed.
Officers discovered Zaire Kelly, 16, unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head in the 2200 13 St. NE at around 8:40 p.m. Further down the alley, Sequan Gillis was found lying on the ground with a severe laceration to the abdomen. Kelly died on the scene, while Gillis was transported to the local hospital and later pronounced dead.
Kelly was walking home from a convenience store near the intersection of 13th and Downing Street when he was approached by the gunman, according to an article by FOX 5 DC. Preliminary information at the scene suggests Gillis was attempting to rob Kelly and in self-defense Kelly produced a knife and stabbed Gillis multiple times before being shot.
MPD believes Kelly was a robbery victim and not the aggressor, as stated in an email from Dustin Sternbeck, the Director of the Office of Communications at MPD.
Police are still investigating the incident.
