WASHINGTON, D.C. — What should have been a peaceful Mother’s Day weekend in the nation’s capital was instead marred by a string of violent shootings, with at least eight people shot in five separate incidents. Among the victims were three women and a 17-year-old boy, and as of late Sunday night, police had made only one arrest in connection with the incidents.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) confirmed the shootings took place across various neighborhoods in D.C. between Saturday night and Sunday evening, making it one of the most violent weekends in recent months despite recent citywide reductions in violent crime.
Three Women Show Up at Hospital After Northeast D.C. Shooting
The first major incident unfolded around midnight on Saturday, when three women arrived at a local D.C. hospital with gunshot wounds. According to MPD, the shooting is believed to have occurred near the intersection of East Capitol Street and Benning Road in Northeast D.C.
While the exact circumstances remain unclear, a department spokesperson said that all three women suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were expected to recover.
As of Sunday night, no suspects had been identified and no arrests had been made in connection to the shooting.
Second Triple Shooting Leaves Teen Seriously Injured
Only hours later, police responded to another triple shooting, this time in Northwest D.C., near the bustling nightlife corridor of 9th Street and U Street NW. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. Sunday.
One of the victims was a 17-year-old male, who was reported to be suffering from serious injuries. Two other adult male victims were also transported to a hospital, where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to MPD spokesman Tom Lynch.
Authorities have not released any suspect descriptions or motives in this case, and it remains under active investigation.
Five Shootings, One Arrest
Over the course of the weekend, MPD reported at least five shootings. However, only one arrest had been made as of late Sunday.
Police apprehended Kyiel Kearney, a resident of Southeast D.C., in connection with a separate shooting on Columbia Road NW. That incident occurred around 11:45 p.m. Saturday inside a home located on the 1300 block of the road. The victim, a man, was taken to a hospital and is being treated for serious injuries, MPD said.
Kearney now faces charges related to that shooting, though further details on the motive or relationship between the suspect and victim have not been released.
Other Shootings Across the District
The violence didn’t stop there. MPD also responded to a 5 a.m. shooting on the 600 block of H Street NW, a busy area lined with restaurants and shops. The department had not released any further information about that shooting by Sunday night.
Later that day, at around 5:15 p.m., officers responded to another shooting on the 4000 block of 9th Street SE, this time involving a man shot inside a home. According to police, the victim was conscious and breathing upon arrival at the hospital. Investigators have not said what led up to the shooting, and no arrests have been made in that case either.
Rising Violence Amid Promising Trends
Despite the weekend’s violence, MPD continues to highlight significant improvements in overall public safety metrics.
According to the department’s latest crime data, assaults with a dangerous weapon are down 13%, and homicides are down 17% in 2025 compared to the same time frame in 2024.
The city had already seen major strides in 2024, with a 32% reduction in homicides and a 35% decrease in overall violent crime compared to 2023.
Still, the back-to-back shootings over Mother’s Day weekend serve as a stark reminder that D.C. is not immune to sudden surges in gun violence, especially in vulnerable neighborhoods or during high-traffic times.
Community Reacts and Officials Seek Answers
Community members and city leaders expressed concern over the uptick in shootings and the lack of quick arrests in many of the cases.
Local advocacy groups have long called for a comprehensive strategy to address gun violence in D.C., which includes not only policing but also community outreach, youth programs, and mental health services.
City officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser and MPD leadership, have not issued formal statements regarding the weekend shootings, but internal investigations are ongoing in each case.
What’s Next?
As investigations continue, MPD is urging anyone with information about the weekend’s shootings to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously to MPD’s tip line at (202) 727-9099 or by texting 50411.
With no arrests made in the majority of the weekend’s shootings, police are relying heavily on public cooperation to identify suspects and prevent retaliation.
The coming days will be critical in determining whether the recent violence was isolated or indicative of a broader pattern. For now, the community is left grappling with the trauma and uncertainty that gun violence all too often brings.
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