Crime & Safety
2 Youths Shot Near National Zoo During Festival: Reports
Two teens have been hospitalized after reported gunfire near the National Zoo Saturday evening.
WASHINGTON, DC — Two teenagers have been hospitalized after gunfire near the National Zoo in D.C. during their ZooLights holiday festival on Saturday, according to reports.
D.C. police responded at around 9 p.m. to the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Cathedral Avenue in Woodley Park, just a block away from the zoo's main entrance.
One teen was found with multiple gunshot wounds, and a second boy was found with a gunshot wound in another area, according to WTOP, which noted that a group of teens also set off a pyrotechnic in a bathroom at the zoo at around 7 p.m., sparking fear and confusion.
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Fox 5 reported that people were turned away from the zoo entrance by police after the pyrotechnic incident as they investigated.
The shootings happened after the zoo had already closed due to the fireworks and reports of fights, according to WJLA.
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Video uploaded to social media (embedded below) includes three loud gunshots audible followed by screaming and general chaos.
Ward 3 D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh said that both victims appear to be in stable condition and are likely to survive.
Obviously, this is a very serious and disturbing incident. Thankfully, though, the juvenile victims appear to be in stable condition and are likely to survive.
If anyone witnessed the shooting or if anyone has any information, please call 202-727-9099 or text 50411. https://t.co/ngwiE7NgdI
— Mary M. Cheh (@marycheh) December 1, 2019
You can hear three gunshots at the beginning of this video and then hear and see some of the chaotic aftermath of tonight‘s violence near Connecticut & Cathedral avenues.
Video sent by nearby resident. pic.twitter.com/2pLNNhYDxH
— Tom Roussey (@tomrousseyABC7) December 1, 2019
Understandably there is a lot of confusion over what happened near the @NationalZoo tonight.
First, there was a false alarm of a shooting that turned out to be fireworks at the zoo.
Then a block away on Connecticut Ave, there was a real shooting where a young man was the victim. pic.twitter.com/pYjpSKIwZA
— Tom Roussey (@tomrousseyABC7) December 1, 2019
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