Community reacts to string of shootings in Southeast DC

WASHINGTON - A violent day in D.C. after a string of shootings across the District.

Police reported nearly a dozen people were struck with bullets Friday, and one man has been pronounced dead. 

Paul Trantham works as an advisory neighborhood commissioner in Ward 8. He says, "D.C. is out of control."

Trantham was driving home from work when he noticed yellow caution tape blocking Wheeler Road SE. 

"I thought it was like fireworks because it sounded just like them," said a young girl who was nearby during the shooting.

Metropolitan police reported that the call came in at 3:07 p.m. for an adult male shot in the 3900 block of Wheeler Road SE near Oxon Run Park. An officer in the area responded to the scene in less than one minute, according to police. 

The victim was found unconscious and not breathing, and was later transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

We are told at least 9 rounds were fired.

"I'm disgusted," 7th District Commander John Branch said during a press conference at the scene of the shooting. "It's terrible, we have to stop this violence. We need the community's support. We need people to call in … Everyone needs to get involved to stop this violence."

Less than two miles away on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, police were investigating a drive-by shooting at Mellon Market, which they say happened just before 12 p.m.

The owner of the convenience store says a bullet hit one of his glass doors.

"My employee is safe," Ephrame Kassaye said. "They are lucky, for a second. If he was down, he could've got hit."

Police say three other people were hit, though. Those individuals were standing outside when a white-colored car fired several shots.

Friday night, three more shootings occurred simultaneously in D.C. 

Police say a shooting took place on the 100 block of Darrington Street in Southwest. Then, shots rang out on the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue in Northeast, anda another shooting was reported on the 4800 block of Alabama Avenue in Southeast. 

A total of six people were shot, police say, including five men and one woman. 

Police are actively investigating these incidents and could not confirm whether the shootings are related to several others in Southeast this week. 

No suspects have been revealed at this time. 

This is a developing story. Check back with FOX 5 for updates.