by Temitope Oladeji
21/5/2025
A fatal shooting occurred Tuesday afternoon near the former Spingarn High School campus on Benning Road NE, leaving one man dead and sparking fear among students participating in a nearby youth athletics event.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), officers from the Fifth District responded at approximately 1:56 p.m. to reports of gunfire in the 2500 block of Benning Road NE.
Upon arrival, they discovered an adult male on the sidewalk adjacent to the track field.
The victim was unconscious, unresponsive, and suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was later pronounced dead.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the victim was walking along the sidewalk when three unidentified suspects approached and opened fire.
The suspects fled the scene in a silver vehicle, later identified as a gray Honda Accord.
The vehicle was subsequently located in the Fort Lincoln area, but the suspects remain at large.
At the time of the incident, 4th and 5th-grade students were attending a District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA) track meet hosted on the grounds of the now-closed Spingarn High School, which ceased operations in 2013.
The shooting occurred during a scheduled break between the noon and 2pm events.
The District of Columbia Public Schools confirmed that all students and staff present at the event were safe and accounted for.
However, several students witnessed the aftermath and described scenes of confusion and distress.
“We were all eating lunch, and we were about to go down, and then all of a sudden, we thought it was the starting gun for the race, but it kept repeating. Then everyone started running,” said Ellie, a 9-year-old student who was on-site.
“Me and some others saw three men wearing black hoodies. They drove away in a silver car after the shooting.”
Another student, 11-year-old Erin Schmidt, added, “There were several shots — at least ten. I was scared and crying. I didn’t know what was happening.”
MPD Chief Smith addressed the media during a press conference following the incident.
“Today’s incident is completely unacceptable,” Smith said. “No child should ever have to experience what occurred today. We urge anyone with information or who may have witnessed anything to come forward and assist our investigation.”
Nearby schools, including Phelps High School, J.O. Wilson Elementary School, and Browne Education Campus, were placed on alert as a precaution, according to Evan Lambert, Director and Press Secretary for the Office of External Affairs.
Families of students participating in the track meet were contacted and reassured of their children’s safety. The investigation remains ongoing.