Innocent bystander shot in head in Northwest DC on New Year's Day, police say

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - D.C. police say a man they believe to be an innocent bystander is in critical condition after being shot in the head on New Year's Day.

D.C. police chief Peter Newsham said on Tuesday that officers were called at around 12:20 p.m. to 1st and Kennedy Streets, Northwest for reports of a shooting.

Newsham said investigators believe the shooting occurred after two groups of people got into an argument. The man, who was nearby, was shot in the head.

The victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition, officials say.

Newsham says the investigation is ongoing, and are looking for a suspect in a red shirt.

He says officers are working with local businesses to see if any of them can provide surveillance footage of the incident.

The shooting was one of seven in the District on New Year's Day, as gun violence left at least two dead, and five other people injured.

It's a violent start for the city, which is coming off of its deadliest year since 2015.

In 2018, DC police investigated 160 homicides - a 40 percent increase over 2017's total of 116.