Outrage simmers over the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old black high school student in Washington, DC, by a man who suspected the teen of stealing cars in his neighborhood.
metropolitan police identified the victim as Karon Blake of Northeast Washington.
Police responded to the 1000 block of Quincy Street, northeast, just before 4 am Saturday with a report of a shooting and found Blake with apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital and died after several attempts to save his life, authorities said.
Detectives determined that a man inside a residence at the scene said he had «heard noises and observed someone who appeared to be handling vehicles.»
He went out with a registered firearm to investigate and had an «interaction» with Blake.
“During the interaction, the male resident discharged his firearm and struck the victim,” police said.
The man who opened fire has not been identified or arrested.
Detectives are working with the US Attorney’s Office to determine possible criminal charges.
Authorities said «two male youths» were allegedly seen fleeing the scene and that at least two cars were damaged on the block of the shooting. NBC Washington informed. Police later said they found a stolen car, which they believe Blake had used, near the scene.
Neighbors said they heard four to five shots during the incident, the station reported.
MPD did not immediately respond to questions about the case Tuesday morning.
Blake was a ‘quiet and inquisitive scholar’
Blake was a student at Brookland High School.
The school’s principal, Kerry Richardson, said in a note to staff, obtained by NBC Washingtonthat Blake was a «quiet and inquisitive scholar who loved fashion and football».
«While she loved her neighborhood, she loved Brookland MS (the faculty and her peers) and the structure it presented to her even more,» Richardson wrote.
He leaves behind his mother and three younger brothers, according to the director.
In a letter to families in the Brookland Middle School community, Richardson wrote: “It is with great sadness that I share that a Brookland student tragically lost his life to gun violence in the early morning of January 7th. Let’s come together to send love and support. to his family as they mourn this devastating loss. As a member of the Brookland family, we know our student will be missed by all who know them.»
The school offers mental health and counseling resources to support students and staff.
‘Property is not larger than life’
In the days after the shooting, pressure for answers mounted, with local lawmakers condemning the shooting and demanding that the name of the person who opened fire be made public.
DC Council Member Christina Henderson tweeted Monday: “Property is not larger than life. Karon should be alive today.»
Zachary Parker, a member of the District 5 Council, said in a declaration Monday: “He was a son, brother, friend and student who should still be here. I am deeply saddened and outraged by Karon’s murder.»
“No car or material possession is worth a life, under any circumstances. I join the residents of District 5 in calling on the Metropolitan Police Department and US Attorney’s Office to hold the individual who took Karon’s life to account,” he continued.
A community meeting is scheduled for Tuesday night to hear residents’ concerns and questions about the case.
Community groups DC Safety Squad, Ward 5 Mutual Aid and Harriet’s Wildest Dreams are demanding the release of the shooter’s name and any visual evidence.
in a declaration, The DC security squad said: “Karon Blake was senselessly murdered. She was loved by her family, friends and her community. We call on Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Lindsey Appiah to immediately release the name of Karon’s killer and any photo or video evidence collected.»
In a statement, Appiah said: «As a government, we are committed to being as open and transparent as possible in all matters, while also ensuring that we act in a manner that promotes the fair and equitable administration of justice.»
She said the investigation is still ongoing, in consultation with the US Attorney’s Office.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said monday she was «incredibly saddened».
“We would rather be talking about a 13-year-old boy going to school today than talking about him being killed on one of our streets,” he said.
«If you think there is a public safety issue in or around your home, call 911. That’s what you should do, call 911,» he added.
In the first week of the new year, six people were killed in DC, including Karon, according to the MPD Crime Dashboard.