Teen killed, another injured during shooting at DC Metro station in violent start to 2023
WASHINGTON - A 17-year-old was killed and a 14-year-old was wounded during a shooting at a southeast D.C. Metro station Monday night in what has become a violent start to 2023.
Authorities responded to the shooting shortly after 10 p.m. at a bus bay at Congress Heights Metro Station on Alabama Avenue.
The 17-year-old male, who police have identified as Martez Toney, was unresponsive at the scene and was transported to the hospital where he later died. The 14-year-old male remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officials say the shooting was targeted and that multiple shots were fired. Investigators are reviewing security camera footage at this time.
"I’m tired of having to come to these shootings," said Seventh District Commander John Branch Monday night. "We have to learn as a community how to resolve our problems and our issues peacefully and without gun violence."
DCPS confirmed Tuesday that the 17-year-old victim, Toney, was a student at Dunbar High School.
The school's principal, Nadine Smith, released a letter to families sharing the "tragic" news.
"With great sadness, I share that a Dunbar student tragically lost their life to gun violence on the evening of Monday, January 2," the letter reads. "Let us join in sending love and support to their family as they grieve this devastating loss. As a member of the Dunbar family, we know our student will be missed by all who know them. Coping with the effects of community violence is a challenging experience, and we want to support our Dunbar community through this time. We are prepared to receive support from the DCPS School Mental Health team, and ongoing support will be available to any who need it. Please reach out if your student needs assistance dealing with this news, and we will connect them with our school-based mental health team. We care, and we are here to help."
The deadly shooting was part of a string of violence reported around the District Monday. Police say a man was shot just after 6 p.m. in the 4400 block of F Street in the southeast. Officers are searching for a red sedan involved in the incident.
Also Monday, police say a man and a juvenile were shot on 23rd Street and Alabama Avenue just after 5 p.m. Both victims remain hospitalized.
Anyone with information regarding any of the shooting is asked to contact police.