WASHINGTON, D.C. — A 64-year-old man is facing a series of serious charges after allegedly firing a gun at two teenagers who knocked on his door as part of a prank and then ran away. The incident occurred early Saturday morning near Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Southwest D.C., according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Incident Unfolds in Early Morning Hours
Police reported that the confrontation began around 2:30 a.m. when two juveniles knocked on the door of Darryl Woods’s residence before fleeing. Rather than ignoring the prank or calling authorities, Woods allegedly responded by discharging a firearm in their direction.
Fortunately, no one was struck by the gunfire, and the teens were not injured. Officers quickly launched an investigation and later recovered a firearm inside Woods’s home.
Multiple Charges Filed
Woods was arrested shortly after the incident and now faces a lengthy list of charges, including:
-
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun)
-
Felon in Possession
-
Possession of an Unregistered Firearm and Ammunition
-
Possession of a Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device
-
Cruelty to Children — tied to the fact that minors were directly endangered during the gunfire
The inclusion of the cruelty to children charge underscores prosecutors’ concerns about the danger posed to the two teenagers, despite their role in initiating the prank.
Community Concerns
The shooting has sparked discussion in the community about how residents respond to disturbances and the risks of escalating situations unnecessarily. Law enforcement officials have stressed that while pranks can be disruptive, firing a weapon in response poses a grave risk to public safety.
“This could have easily turned into a tragedy,” one officer familiar with the case said. “No prank justifies discharging a firearm at children.”
Ongoing Investigation
The MPD confirmed that the investigation remains active. Detectives are reviewing all details of the incident, including the type of firearm used and how Woods came into possession of it given his status as a convicted felon.
Authorities also noted that the recovered weapon included a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, which is illegal to possess under D.C. law.
Call for Information
Police are urging anyone with additional knowledge about the case to come forward. Individuals can contact the Metropolitan Police Department directly or submit anonymous tips through the MPD tip line.
As Woods awaits court proceedings, community leaders are emphasizing the importance of handling disputes and disturbances without resorting to violence.
Leave a Reply