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Early Sunday morning, almost 20 people were caught in a hail of gunfire that broke out during a large gathering in Washington, D.C., according to police officials.
17-year-old Christopher Brown was shot to death and an off-duty police officer was injured.
The shooting occurred at a block party held at 33rd Street and Dubois Place. Several shooters opened fire into the crowd of over 100 people, Police Chief Peter Newsham announced at a news conference today.
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According to Newsham, the wounded off-duty police officer was transported to the hospital. She is in very serious condition and is “struggling for her life.”
It is not clear if the off-duty officer was among the celebrants at the gathering, or if she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Newsham said that police officers on the scene were greatly outnumbered and therefore unable to break up such a large crowd. He called the shooting an” isolated incident.”
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, large gatherings of 50 people or more are prohibited in D.C. without a permit. Newsham said that a permit was not issued for the gathering.
READ MORE: Video shows terrifying aftermath when four Atlanta HBCU students are shot at block party
Christopher Brown’s mother, Artecka Brown, told reporters that her son was the father of a 1-year-old child and had another on the way.
She said that that the family is distraught over her son’s sudden passing and is still tying to process the tragic news.
“He was an innocent king…he just wanted to go attend a neighborhood party,” she continued.
Brown’s cousin, Octavia Brown told WUSA9 News that she is “heartbroken” over Sunday’s events.
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