Chaos erupted in Brightwood on Monday evening when a suspect, now on the lam, opened fire from a car onto a moped, wounding two. The Metropolitan Police Department disclosed the mayhem that took place in the 6200 block of 13th Street, Northwest, urging the public to help track down the assailant's vehicle. According to a statement from MPD, the attack unfolded at 7:57 p.m. on April 15, 2024, with the suspect – piloting a battle-scarred gray 2016 Toyota Camry – abruptly to initiate shooting at the moped riders.
Following the gunfire, the injured moped operator and his passenger took a tumble. Responding officers discovered both victims along with the moped, which had been reported stolen. Furthermore, a firearm was found with the female victim. The suspects, despite their gunshot wounds, faced immediate arrest after being rushed to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The teenage moped driver, David Lemus, 18, of Northeast, and a 17-year-old companion from Hyattsville, MD, were charged with Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, and the latter also with Carrying a Pistol without a License.
The suspect's getaway car – a gray Toyota Camry, with a notably dangling rear bumper – is still being sought by detectives. The car, sporting Maryland license plate "7DD0282," was last seen fleeing the scene of the crime. The Metropolitan Police's Fourth District is leading the search efforts and has made a direct appeal to the community for assistance in locating the vehicle and capturing the individual responsible for the shootings.
While the investigation continues, MPD has made additional information available, including a detailed description of the suspect's car. They are keen to emphasize the distinct damage to the car's bumper, which might substantially aid in recognizing the car involved in this violent episode. They beseech anyone with information to come forward, with the assurance that tips can be delivered anonymously if needed.
As the search intensifies, the community has been put on high alert. MPD officials have reiterated the gravity of this incident, emphasizing the potential threat posed by the armed suspect at large. Both victims, meanwhile, remain in custody while they recover, entangled in a tangle of violence, theft, and illegal gun possession. With the public's help, authorities are urgent to close the net on a suspect who decided to lethally gamble on the streets of Northwest Washington.
