In a startling turn of events on a calm Sunday evening, a 16-year-old boy and an adult man were wounded in a sudden burst of gunfire at a Southeast D.C. intersection. The Metropolitan Police have now released a suspect’s photo tied to the shooting near Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Mellon Street. As both victims recover from non-life-threatening injuries, officials are urgently calling for public aid to help trace the suspect. The scene, once routine, now echoes with questions and a city’s search for answers.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Location: Southeast Washington, D.C., at Martin Luther King Jr. Ave & Mellon St SE

• Time: Sunday, June 22, around 6:45 p.m.

• Victims: 16-year-old boy and an adult male, both hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries

• Response: DC Fire and EMS responded promptly; both victims transported for treatment

• Action: Suspect photo released; police seeking public assistance in identifying the individual

• Status: Investigation ongoing; no arrests at this time

A quiet Sunday evening in Southeast Washington was disrupted by gunfire, leaving two individuals — including a teenage boy — wounded in a shooting that has now drawn citywide attention. In the aftermath, police have released a photo of a suspect believed to be involved in the incident, urging the public to help bring clarity to what transpired.

The Metropolitan Police Department reported that the shooting took place shortly before 6:45 p.m. on June 22, at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Mellon Street, Southeast. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered a 16-year-old juvenile boy and an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds.

Both victims were found conscious and breathing, though clearly injured. Emergency services from DC Fire and EMS responded promptly, providing medical assistance before transporting the victims to nearby hospitals. Officials have confirmed that the injuries sustained by both individuals are considered non-life-threatening.

“This is an active and ongoing investigation,” the Metropolitan Police Department stated. “We are working diligently to determine the circumstances that led to this incident and to identify the person responsible.”

The department has since released a photo of the suspect, which they believe could play a critical role in resolving the case. Authorities are appealing to the public for assistance in identifying the individual shown in the image.

“We ask that anyone who recognizes this person or has any knowledge about the events leading up to the shooting come forward,” police added. “Even the smallest detail could be significant.”

While the motive remains unclear and no arrests have yet been made, law enforcement emphasized that community cooperation is vital in cases like these. The intersection where the shooting occurred is a known and often busy part of Southeast D.C., raising concerns about public safety and the potential for bystanders to have witnessed key moments.

Residents in the area have expressed concern over the frequency of such incidents, especially involving minors.

“It’s deeply troubling,” one neighbor shared anonymously. “We hope the police catch whoever did this before someone else gets hurt.”

The Metropolitan Police continue to canvass the area for surveillance footage and potential eyewitnesses.