WASHINGTON (7News) – Frustration and fear are rising in Southeast Washington, D.C., as residents face yet another string of violent incidents, including recent shootings that have left the community rattled. Locals are calling for immediate action and long-term solutions to curb the gunfire that continues to plague their streets.
Gunfire on V and W Streets Sparks Alarm
The latest burst of violence unfolded this week on V Street SE, where police say 16 shell casings were found after reports of gunfire. A red Volkswagen parked along the block had its back window shattered by bullets. Just a few blocks away, on W Street, shattered glass littered the front of Galen Terrace Apartments, pointing to more gun activity.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported from Tuesday’s incidents. However, police confirmed someone was injured during another shooting last Saturday morning on V Street, where officers also recovered a firearm at the scene.
One longtime resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told 7News, “Same old story. Lots of rounds fired. I heard dozens.” He pointed to a specific property on the 1500 block of V Street as a recurring source of trouble.
Ongoing Concerns in Anacostia and Beyond
The violence isn’t limited to just V and W Streets. On Monday, a one-year-old child was struck by a stray bullet during a shooting on Yuma Street SE, highlighting the devastating consequences of gunfire in residential neighborhoods.
Charles Valentine, a resident of the Anacostia area since the 1990s, emphasized that it only takes a small group of people to disrupt an entire community.
“If you just have a percentage of people doing bad, that small percentage will cause a problem,” Valentine said.
“You can’t be afraid to reach out and grab these folks and teach them some things.”
Local Leaders Call for Connection and Accountability
Salim Adofo, ANC Commissioner for Ward 8, said the community must stop accepting gun violence as a norm. He believes a more coordinated effort is needed to connect residents—especially youth—with available resources.
“There are opportunities to connect people to resources they need,” Adofo told 7News.
“We have to do a better job connecting people, but people also have to step up and want more.”
Adofo pointed to programs at workforce development campuses in Congress Heights and services offered through the United Planning Organization on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE as examples of valuable community resources.
“We do things throughout the year to try and work with young people,” he added.
“It’s important to continuously offer opportunities for young people to be engaged in constructive activities.”
Residents Take Safety Into Their Own Hands
Despite the violence, some residents remain committed to staying in their homes and protecting their families. The anonymous resident said he’s doing what he can by attending ANC meetings and speaking directly with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officials.
“The only action is to attend ANC meetings, speak with MPD representatives to try and have more patrols on our block,” he said.
“And that works for short periods of time.”
A Community at a Crossroads
As shootings continue to shake Southeast D.C., the message from residents and community leaders is clear: more must be done. While patrols and police presence help temporarily, locals are calling for deeper, long-lasting interventions—from youth outreach and education to workforce development and accessible community programs.
The violence may feel familiar to those who live there, but acceptance is not an option. The community is speaking out, and they’re asking for change—not just more headlines.
Leave a Reply