Afternoon worship traffic on the Benning Road corridor was shattered Monday when gunfire broke out near Peace Baptist Church in Northeast D.C., leaving two men wounded and drawing a wall of flashing police lights to 18th Street NE. Officers were dispatched just after 4 p.m. for reports of shots fired and found two adult men on 18th Street NE suffering from gunshot wounds, according to WJLA. Both victims were conscious and breathing when first responders arrived and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The Metropolitan Police Department told WJLA that First District officers were first sent to the 18th Street NE block for a report of a shooting shortly after 4 p.m. “Upon arrival, officers located two adult males, both conscious and breathing, suffering from gunshot wounds,” MPD said, according to the station, which reported that investigators stayed on scene into the evening.
Police are asking anyone who saw or recorded anything to call 202-727-9099 or text tips to 50411. The department notes that its tip line is staffed around the clock and can accept anonymous photos and videos, per the Metropolitan Police Department.
As officers worked the scene, authorities temporarily shut down Benning Road NE between H Street/Maryland Avenue and 21st Street, as well as 18th Street NE between Gales Street and Benning Road, according to WJLA. Preliminary details indicate the shooting happened near Peace Baptist Church, which lists its address as 712 18th Street NE.
Benning Road Context
The Benning Road corridor has already been on law enforcement’s radar this year, with concentrated police responses following other shootings and daytime attacks in recent months, a pattern noted in recent coverage of gunfire on the corridor. Residents have repeatedly flagged the stretch for violent incidents, which has helped drive those larger MPD responses when shots are reported.
MPD’s investigation into Monday’s shooting is ongoing. Anyone with information or footage linked to the incident is urged to reach out through the tip line listed above.
