Investigators say two men were shot at a place of worship before officers found a 16-year-old carrying two firearms inside the church.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two men were wounded in a shooting at a Northeast DC church Monday afternoon, and police say a 16-year-old was later arrested after officers discovered he was carrying two firearms while detectives interviewed witnesses inside the building.
The shooting occurred at about 4:05 p.m. on June 29 after Metropolitan Police Department officers assigned to the Rosedale neighborhood heard gunfire near 17th Street and Gales Street, Northeast.
When officers arrived, bystanders directed them to a place of worship in the 700 block of 18th Street, Northeast, where officers found two adult men suffering from non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.
DC Fire and EMS transported both victims to area hospitals for treatment.
According to investigators, a group of people had gathered in a fenced utility area behind the church when at least one person in the group fired a gun toward the others before fleeing the scene.
While detectives interviewed witnesses inside the church, officers observed a juvenile carrying two backpacks. Police said the 16-year-old, of Southeast DC, was found in possession of two firearms and was arrested without incident.
The teen was charged with two counts of carrying a pistol without a license, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device.
Police said detectives are continuing to investigate both the shooting and whether the juvenile had any involvement in the gunfire.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Metropolitan Police Department at (202) 727-9099 or text tips to 50411. A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the shooting.
