NEW YORK, NY – Two homeless men were shot and one killed by the same gunman hours apart, New York City Police Department investigators reported. Police suspect the shooter is linked to the shooting of three homeless men in Washington, D.C. earlier this month. Those shootings left one dead and two others injured after the gunman randomly shot homeless men while they were sleeping.
The New York City incidents took place in Soho.
Police suspect the gunman may be the same individual wanted in Washington, D.C. as the shootings show a similar pattern.
New York City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell and Chief of Police Robert J. Contee, III of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, DC, announced that several shootings that occurred in the District of Columbia and New York City have been committed by the same suspect. Both departments are investigating these offenses jointly with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“Between the two cities, there have been five shootings, including two homicides. In each offense, the victims were experiencing homelessness,” the statement read. “The most recent shootings occurred in New York City in the early morning hours of March 12. Both incidents involve homeless men who were sleeping on the street and were shot, without provocation, by a male suspect. Below is the timeline of the five shooting offenses, which includes two homicides.”
Washington, DC Homeless Shootings
On Thursday, March 3, 2022 at approximately 4:00 am, members of the Fifth District responded to the 1100 block of New York Avenue, Northeast for the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, members located an adult male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
On Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at approximately 1:21 am, members of the Fifth District responded to the 1700 block of H Street, Northeast for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, members located an adult male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
On Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at approximately 2:54 am, a member of the Metropolitan Police Department was in the area of the 400 block of New York Avenue, Northeast and observed a tent fire. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. Further investigation revealed the remains of an adult male which displayed no signs consistent with life and was pronounced deceased. The victim remained on scene until transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. As a result of an autopsy, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death was multiple stab and gunshot wounds. The manner of death was ruled a Homicide.
New York City Homeless Shootings
On March 12, 2022, at approximately 4:30 am, a 38-year-old male was shot in the arm while sleeping on King Street near Varick Street.
On March 12, 2022, at approximately 5:00 pm, New York City police responded to a 911 call for an unidentified male suffering from gunshot wounds to the head and neck. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses in the area reported hearing gunshots at approximately 6:00 am.
Given the similarity in the modus operandi of the perpetrator, common circumstances involved in each shooting, circumstances of the victims and recovered evidence, the NYPD, the MPDC and the ATF will jointly investigate these offenses.
Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said, “Our homeless population is one of our most vulnerable and an individual praying on them as they sleep is an exceptionally heinous crime. We will use every tool, every technique and every partner to bring the killer to justice.”
Metropolitan Police Chief Robert J. Contee said, “From the first incident, the Metropolitan Police has spared no resource in our efforts to identify the suspect behind these cowardly acts. We are committed to sharing every investigative path, clue and piece of evidence with our law enforcement partners to bring this investigation to a swift conclusion and the individual behind these vicious crimes to justice.”
“There will be no resource spared to locate and arrest the individual/s responsible for these incomprehensible acts of violence committed against our community members,” ATF Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson said. “ATF will utilize our expertise as we continue coordinating and combining efforts with our local, state and federal partners to ensure public safety is restored. Our condolences go out to the family members of those affected by this blatant disregard of human life.”