MPD cruisers at 4th and Taylor Streets NW

Update: ANC 4C10 Commissioner Jonah Goodman is holding a community meeting to discuss the recent violence and has invited Councilmember Todd as well as representatives from DC agencies.

Monday, September 23rd
6:30 - 7:30pm
St. Gabriel’s Church
26 Grant Circle NW

Sunday night / Monday morning around 1am, residents of Taylor, Shepherd and and Illinois Avenue were awoken to the sound of gunshots.

MPD released a simple email:

On September 16, 2019, at approximately 1:07am, multiple sounds of gunshots were reported in the 4000 block of 4th street NW & 4th Taylor NW. Thorough canvasses were conducted by MPD members, K-9 unit, and helicopter. Shell casings were recovered in the 4000 block of 4th street, but there were no reports of any victims. Property damage was also reported.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact MPD at (202) 727-9099.

A resident of the block wrote Petworth News to say that “Violence continues to plague our neighborhood. Yesterday at 1:00am there was a shooting on the 4000 block of 4th Street.” According to the resident, MPD recovered 23 shell casings.”

Then, Monday at 11pm, more gunshots from the same location on Taylor Street. More shell casing recovered on scene.

The resident went on to say, “My block alone is home to 22 young children. In addition, our block is home to two daycares – 2 New Heights, which cares for some 15 children, and Ms. Paulette Sansbury’s daycare, which cares for 6 children. We have, once again, reached out to Councilmember Todd, Mayor Bowser and MPD. We are asking the city to revisit its undercover efforts and consider placing surveillance cameras near the known trouble spots.”

There were two shootings on Crittenden Street near 8th Street this summer — one with injury, the next just a few weeks ago with several shots into the house.

In both cases, it would appear someone is being targeted. Residents keep asking, what are MPD and the city doing to figure this out and stop the violence?

Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd said in an email about the incident that MPD will have a light tower placed in the location, along with an MPD officer. “There will be an MPD presence at this location until further notice. Increased patrols also in the general area,” he wrote.

He said he’s working with the Chief of Police, Fourth District Commander, and the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety to abate the issues.

Update: 4D Commander Randy Griffin responded on Tuesday evening to an email requesting more information. The Commander said that while no suspects have been identified, there will be a police presence while they investigate.