Man, 23, Found Killed On 300 Block of 13th St.

It was a deadly string of violence taking place in the District late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, killing one person and injuring 13 others in five apparently unrelated incidents.

The sole homicide occurred right in our neighborhood.

In the wee hours of Thursday morning, someone heard one gunshot on the 300 block of 13 Street NE and called 911. Police responded at approximately 2:15 a.m. and found a body lying by an alley alongside 309 13th St. NE.

[There is a bloodstain on the sidewalk.]

The 23-year-old victim, whose identity is being withheld by the police pending positive identification by his next of kin, was taken to George Washington University Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 2:42 a.m.

Police Lt. Renato Caldwell, who is in charge of public safety in PSA 511, said the man was shot in the neck, and police knew no suspect as of Thursday night. He said the immediate area is known to have drug related activities, but he did not link the homicide to drugs.

"It was the first homicide in PSA 511 in two, perhaps three years," Lt. Caldwell said.

He urged residents not to worry too much about the latest crime. "This neighborhood is still one of the safest in the city. Homicide could occur in any neighborhood, even in the most expensive one,"

However, he suggested residents take following cautionary measures to protect themselves:

1) Be aware of what is going on in the neighborhood;

2) Walk with your partner or a friend; and

3) Leave porch lights on.

On a brighter note, Lt. Caldwell said incidents of property crime in the neighborhood, which had gone up in recent months, have come down considerably since the last PSA meeting, with the help of a special task force. §