WASHINGTON (7News) — Residents in Southeast Washington, D.C., are calling on city leaders to take immediate action after enduring multiple nights of gunfire and escalating neighborhood unrest. Tensions have risen following a series of shootings around an apartment complex on R Street, Southeast, including a shooting on August 2, where a man was wounded.
Community members say they are tired of living in fear and feeling unsafe in their own homes. They’re urging officials to step in before more lives are lost.
“It’s Only a Matter of Time”
Longtime resident Andre Thomas recounted several recent incidents of gunfire. “Three times it happened,” he said. “Friday night: boom, boom, boom. They didn’t hit anybody, but tape was everywhere.”
On Saturday, another shooting left a man injured as he walked out of the apartment building. Police found the wounded victim shortly after gunfire erupted. Nearby vehicles were also struck during the violent outbursts. By Tuesday, a spent shell casing still lay in the street, a stark reminder of the danger residents face daily.
“They hit everything else on the ground but what they were trying to hit,” Thomas said. “Eventually, it’s going to hit one of these kids.”
Fear and Frustration Take Hold
For many, fear has become routine. “It’s a lot of shooting,” said a woman walking her dog. “I’ve witnessed it firsthand. I ran from the gunshots.”
Residents now say enough is enough, and they’re demanding a visible and lasting police presence—not just a temporary response.
Local Leaders Call for Accountability
Pastor Tony Herndon of Grace Nation Ministry is among those speaking out, urging elected officials and community advocates to step in and help restore peace.
“We have ANC Commissioners and other advocates, and my hope is that they will see this and be a part of making sure this community feels safe,” Herndon said.
Andrea Davis, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC) for the area, confirmed that D.C. Police have labeled the neighborhood a “special attention area,” indicating an elevated level of patrol and surveillance.
She took it upon herself to confirm those efforts Tuesday morning. “I sat on the street, and I did see a constant flow of police cars coming up and down,” Davis said. “But I don’t know how long that attention is going to be afforded to us. Once they’re gone, is this behavior going to keep on continuing?”
A Plea for Long-Term Solutions
While the added police patrols offer a short-term sense of relief, residents say it’s not enough. They are urging top D.C. leadership to address the root causes of the violence and deliver long-term solutions.
Andre Thomas and others believe that only sustained community engagement, youth intervention programs, and law enforcement accountability will truly change the course of their neighborhood’s future.
“This is a cry for help,” Thomas said. “We can’t live like this anymore.”
Residents hope their voices will be heard before tragedy strikes again.
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