Update: 11-Year-Old Boy Killed In July 4th Shooting: Police

Update (Monday, July 6, 1:05 p.m.): This story was updated with comments from Mayor Muriel Bowser, Police Chief Peter Newsham, and Delbert McFadden, director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.

WASHINGTON, DC — Homicide detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old boy Saturday following a Peace Cookout in Anacostia.

"On Saturday night, an 11-year-old, Davon McNeal was shot and killed while standing outside after a community cookout," Mayor Muriel Bowser said, during a Monday afternoon press briefing. "We're all heartbroken, saddened and outraged. All of us are praying for Davon's mother and his entire family."

Around 9:20 p.m., Seventh District officers were flagged down by a citizen in 1400 block of Cedar Street, S.E., in connection with a shooting, said Police Chief Peter Newsham, during Monday's briefing. The officers found McNeal suffering from a gunshot wound.

"He was lying outside his home," Newsham said. "He was laying in his mother's arms and he was suffering from a fatal gunshot wound."

Bowser and Newsham were joined Monday by Davon's grandfather, John Ayala, of the D.C. Guardian Angels.

The shooting took place after a Peace Cookout in Anacostia, which Davon had just attended. Bowser confirmed that Davon's mother works as a violence interrupter with one of the District's contractors.

"Ms. McNeal is really dedicated to that community, Cedar Gardens and Butler Gardens," said Delbert McFadden, director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. "She was there. I was there twice in the day, checking the various priority communities to make sure everything was in place."

McFadden confirmed he had met with the boy an hour before the shooting occurred.

"There were about 20 kids out there," he said. "It's my understanding that this took place after the event. So we're going to continue to support Ms. McNeal, her family, and this situation. This young man's name will not go in vain."

D.C. Fire and EMS transported him to an area hospital to be treated, but all life-saving efforts failed and he was pronounced dead.

"I can't imagine what it would be like to hold your 11-year-old son in your arms as he's losing life," Newsham said. "We have some of the best detectives in the Metropolitan Police Department that are assigned to this case, and we have made significant progress. We intend to hold all of the suspects that are responsible for this little boy's death accountable for their actions."

Police ask anyone with information about this shooting to call 202-727-9099 or send a text message to 50411. A $25,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest in this case.