In the latest random outburst of violence to hit America, 13 people were left injured, one critically, in a shooting outside of an apartment complex in northwest Washington D.C.
Police Chief Cathy Lanier reported that at around 2:10 am near New York Avenue and North Capitol Street, two cars approached a group of people walking down the sidewalk outside of a local nightclub. With windows rolled down, they opened fire on the unsuspecting pedestrians, who quickly ran for cover.
12 of the 13 injured are in stable condition and are expected to make a full recovery. Most were shot in the legs and hands, or were just grazed by the bullets. One, however, suffered a serious injury to the back and is currently in critical condition.
Though detectives are currently reviewing video tapes to identify any suspects, there are no leads as of yet. At this time police are interviewing the victims and other onlookers to gather any clues that they can to at least establish a motive.
"We've got to interview a ton" of people says Peter Newsham, assistant police chief.
The shooting took place near Tyler House apartments, a complex rife with crime that police say is part of the reason why the area has had issues with gun violence despite the new developments that have helped to clean up northwest Washington D.C. Back in October fatal shootings of multiple people occurred on back to back weekends near the Tyler House apartments.
This shooting is the latest in a string of seemingly unmotivated shootings that have gripped the nation in the past year. On July 20, 2012, a movie theatre in Aurora, CO was shot up, killing 12 people and injuring 58 more. Just five months later on December 14, Sandy Hook Elementary was attacked, killing 20 children and 6 more teachers. With this latest instance of gun violence, the debate over stricter gun control is sure to not die down any time soon.
