NE DC triple shooting linked to shooting that killed 2 on North Capitol Street, police say

WASHINGTON (7News) — On Thursday, D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee said he believed a shooting near North Capitol Street Wednesday night was in retaliation for a shooting that happened just blocks away earlier that day.

RELATED | 2 dead, 3 wounded after 'drug-related' shooting on O Street in NW DC, police say

Police said the first shooting happened around 12:48 p.m. in the unit block of O Street Northwest. A car turned from southbound North Capitol Street onto O, and police said at least two suspects got out and opened fire. Five people were shot, and 43-year-old Rashad Johnson and 53-year-old James Johnson were pronounced dead.

On Thursday, Contee said police believe the suspects fled in a dark-colored Hyundai Santa Fe.

Less than seven hours later and just three blocks away, D.C. Police said there was a second shooting in which three people were shot. That shooting happened around 7:25 p.m. in the unit block of Quincy Place Northeast, which is also very close to North Capitol Street. The three people who were shot had injuries that police do not believe are life-threatening, and after the shooting three suspects were arrested.

READ MORE | MPD investigating shooting less than a half mile from earlier deadly shooting on O Street

“Based upon our investigation now, we certainly believe that this was some retaliation for the shooting that occurred earlier,” Contee said Thursday.

The chief added that five firearms, including two automatic rifles, were recovered. He said the number of illegal firearms police have seized is up about 800 over last year; well over 2,000 have been seized in 2022.

Contee said police are looking for help to catch the suspects still on the loose. Anyone with information is asked to call 202-727-9099.

Thursday morning, both Contee and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser attended the first-ever graduation of a new organization that hopes to be part of a long-term solution to reduce violence in the city.

The D.C. Peace Academy held a ceremony in Southeast D.C. honoring graduates who, this summer, took classes led by D.C. residents training them in mediation and how to resolve conflicts before they turn violent.