Teen boy gunned down nearby church in Southeast DC

WASHINGTON - There are new details in the murder of a teenage boy in Southeast D.C. Sunday night.

D.C. police have identified the victim as 14-year-old Steven Slaughter. He was shot in front of Garden Memorial Presbyterian Church in the 1700 block of Minnesota Avenue.

Nearly one day after the deadly shooting, a trail of blood still leads from the crime scene all the way to a nearby bus stop at the corner.

People who knew Slaughter believe he was shot for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

D.C. police say they received a call about the shooting at around 7 p.m. Sunday. When officers arrived on Minnesota Avenue, they found Slaughter suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators believe Slaughter was shot with a fully automatic weapon.

A friend of the victim said Slaughter was walking home with a friend when he was shot. Slaughter was a ninth grade student at Friendship Collegiate Academy who loved playing football and had dreams of playing in the NFL.

Neighbors said they had to duck for cover when the shooting took place.

"When we got to the corner of 17th and S [streets], that is when the shots rang out," said Nandi Osaze. "I don't know, maybe five [shots]. I ducked down in the car and we noticed someone running … I was very anxious about getting out of car. I was terrified because when bullets are flying, they can hit anyone."

While the shooting remains under investigation, police say Slaughter may not have been the intended target of the shooting.

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for any information that leads an arrest and conviction in this case.