Two Mass Shootings Among Incidents Causing 24 Deaths in July

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As of Aug. 5, D.C. Witness data shows there were 22 homicide incidents in July, claiming the lives of 24 individuals. There were also 26 non-fatal shooting victims, in 17 incidents, two of which occurred at the same time and location of a homicide.

According to D.C. Witness data, two mass shootings occurred in July, claiming the lives of two individuals and injuring six.

According to documents from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the first mass shooting occurred on July 8 on the 1200 block of Potomac Avenue, SE. Two men and two women sustained injuries during the incident, but survived. MPD continues to search for a suspect vehicle, described as a blue SUV.

Likewise, another mass shooting occurred on July 18 on the 2000 block of Alabama Avenue, SE, claiming the lives of 29-year-old Lamont Street and 50-year-old Jermaine Proctor. Two others, a man and a young girl, sustained injuries during the incident.

According to MPD documents, multiple suspects exited a vehicle during the incident and began shooting towards Street and Proctor. Police are offering a reward to anyone who provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

The mass shootings are two of 26 homicide and non-fatal shooting incidents in which suspects have yet to be identified and arrested.

However, a 16-year-old boy was arrested for his alleged involvement in a July 23 shooting that injured three women on the 2900 block of Nelson Place, SE.

In a hearing on July 30, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell ordered the boy to remain detained at the Youth Services Center (YSC) after prosecutors argued he was arrested for the shooting while he was on release for a case in which he’s charged with possessing a firearm.

On July 31, MPD also arrested 23-year-old Desmond Barr Jr. for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Ambria Farmer on July 13 on the 3300 block of Fort DuPont Drive, SE.

Barr was also on release at the time of the incident, in connection to a case in which he is charged for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on Feb. 2, 2023, and had no injuries reported.