Updated: 1-Year-Old Victim Identified In Fatal Shooting

Updated (Dec. 3, 12:05 a.m.): This story was updated with information from a Thursday morning press briefing with Mayor Muriel Bowser and Chief Peter Newsham.

WASHINGTON, DC — Homicide detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating the fatal shooting Wednesday night of a 15-month-old boy in Southeast.

Shortly after 9:35 p.m., officers from the Sixth District responded for the report of gunshots being fired in the area of the 5700 block of Southern Avenue, S.E., according to a briefing given later that night by Chief Peter Newsham.

The officers located a vehicle that had been shot at least 10 times, according to Newsham. They learned that a passenger in the vehicle — a 15-month-old boy — had been taken by D.C. Fire and EMS to a local hospital to be treated for multiple gunshot wounds. The child was pronounced dead.

On Thursday, MPD identified the deceased victim as a 15-month-old Carmelo Duncan of Southeast.

At the time of the shooting, Duncan's father was driving the vehicle and another child may have been inside, according to MPD.

"Neither the father nor the other child received any injuries," Newsham said Thursday.

Duncan is the 187th homicide victim in 2020 and the youngest victim so far this year.

"There are simply no words for the sense of outrage that we should all feel at the loss of this beautiful baby boy, Carmelo," Mayor Muriel Bowser said, during a Thursday morning press briefing. "We're all sick of the heinous crimes in our city."

A preliminary investigation revealed that the shooting occurred in the 5700 block of Southern Avenue, S.E., and that the vehicle came to rest at the intersection of Southern Avenue and Central Avenue, according to Newsham.

MPD issued a lookout for a dark gray vehicle with dark tinted windows, with a paper tag.

"The vehicle is described as an SUV," Newsham said. "That vehicle was seen traveling at a high-rate of speed. It's unclear if that vehicle was involved."

The chief added that MPD was acting under the assumption the shots had been fired from the second vehicle.

"We talk a lot about gun violence each and every day, and the havoc and pain that guns are causing in our city," Bowser said. "We talk about the people who are using guns in our city who have no regard for human life, and we also need to talk about accountability for those who indiscriminately shoot guns and kill people."

Based on the evidence gathered so far, Newsham said the shooting did not appear to be random.

"We have forensic evidence to suggest that more than one gun was used," he said. "We're not at the point yet where we can report on how many different types of rounds hit the vehicle, but there is evidence to suggest that more than one weapon was used in this case. It's an indication to me, at least, that the vehicle was targetted and this was not random."

Bowser called on members of the community to help police bring the persons responsible for Duncan's death to justice. Anyone with information about this case can text an anonymous tip to 50411 or call 202-727-9099.

"Now we have lost a 15-month-old, precious boy, and we need to spend more time talking about the victims," she said. "The level of senselessness is impossible to process and we need everybody's help to bring justice to this baby, Carmelo, and his family, and get a very dangerous person off the streets."

After extending the city's condolences to Duncan's family, Bowser implored the shooter to turn himself in and anyone with information to pass it along to MPD.

MPD is currently offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any persons responsible for committing a homicide in the District. FBI and ATF are offering additional reward money in the case, bringing the total reward amount to $60,000.

Last night, 1 y/o Carmelo Duncan lost his life to gun violence in our city. MPD is committed to bringing justice to his family and need your help in identifying those responsible.

Have info? Call (202) 727-9099/text 50411 @ATFWashington@FBIWFO

Release: https://t.co/tDP7ZDGilo pic.twitter.com/JT5LFgPHgF
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) December 3, 2020