5 shot near Howard University homecoming week; 2 people in custody

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) -- Five people were taken to the hospital after a shooting near Howard University Friday night, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Officers responded to sounds of gunfire in the 600 block of Howard Place NW shortly before 8:30 p.m.

Police found three men, one woman, and a 13-year-old boy who had non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS took them to the hospital.

MPD said although no victim was a Howard University student, one of them was a student at Morgan State University. The schools' football teams play each other on Saturday as part of Howard's homecoming weekend.

Officers explained that two people were taken into custody, and that police recovered three weapons at the scene.

One of the people taken into custody tried to run from officers, but police caught the person in a McDonald's parking lot.

As of Friday night, MPD had not identified either person taken into custody.

A witness told DC News Now he was with his cousin when the shooting took place.

"All we heard was yelling," he said. "We can't do nothing in D.C. ... this happens every time there's a function in D.C., especially homecoming. D.C. [is] dangerous."

Jaiden Ramirez said he was playing basketball when he saw three men running across the street, yelling at people. Then he heard six to seven gunshots.

"We panicked, we ran inside, and then we came outside 30 minutes after. We were not trying to get shot," Ramirez described.

In a statement shared with DC News Now, Howard University's Office of University Communications said the shooting was not affiliated with the school and that no Howard University students, faculty or staff were involved, but that the incident appeared to stem from a confrontation between two people.

"HUPD [Howard University Police Department] has implemented enhanced security measures throughout the weekend, including a increased presence of University security and personnel and local law enforcement agencies on and around campus to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all," the university said in the statement.

"The University appreciates the swift and coordinated response of MPD and HUPD officers, whose actions helped protect the safety of our community."

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