2 Dead In 'Open-Air Drug Market' Shooting Near DC School And Senior Citizen's Facility

Two people were killed while three others were injured after at least two gunmen shot at people on O Street, Northwest Washington D.C. Police said the shooting took place in what appeared to be "an open-air drug market."

In a public notice Wednesday afternoon, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said it was responding to a shooting "in the unit block of O Street, NW." The MPD added that multiple victims were shot. Authorities also asked the public to avoid the said area, which is near an elementary school and a senior living center near Truxton Circle.

The MPD released updated photos of a black 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, "with a possible Virginia temporary tag 956515X." The vehicle in question is believed to have been the escape vehicle of at least two suspects who used semi-automatic guns to shoot people in the area.

According to WRC-TV, the black SUV stopped in front of a senior living building, after which "two men jumped out and started shooting." Two people were declared dead on the scene, while three others walked themselves into nearby hospitals for treatment. Their conditions are unknown.

As the shooting took place, nearby Mundo Verde Bilingual Public Charter School, an elementary school on P Street, went into a temporary lockdown. Parents of students who were near the area were told by the school to stay in their cars until authorities cleared the area. Wednesday was the first day of the school year for students at the said elementary school.

At a media briefing on the shooting, Executive Assistant Chief of Police Ashan Benedict said the area is linked to drug-related activities, CBS affiliate WUSA reported. "This appears to be an open-air drug market," Benedict said, adding that the MPD "routinely polices this area and makes arrest for narcotics possession... this is an ongoing problem for us so we need the community's help to continue to quell the disturbance in this area."

Some onlookers have since expressed fear and frustration over police confirmation that there was violence and drugs in the community.

Speaking with local WJLA-TV, Toni Payne, who works near the area where the shooting occurred, said that there have been at least "four shootings right up in here" since he started working in the neighborhood. "If they know it's an open-air drug market, are they locking the people up?" he asked.

Resident Charisma Brown also told the outlet that the community has known violence for some time. "You can't even walk outside or be outside," she said.

The MPD is seeking assistance in locating the suspect vehicle. The victims' identities have yet to be disclosed.