Two Young Boys Killed in Northeast DC Shooting

Gunfire erupts outside convenience store, leaving 14-year-old and 12-year-old dead

Apr. 15, 2026 at 3:25pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent bullet casing on the pavement, capturing the stark, gritty aftermath of a violent crime in a dark, investigative style.The aftermath of a deadly shooting that claimed the lives of two young boys in Northeast DC, exposing the grim realities of gun violence in the nation's capital.Washington Today

A 14-year-old boy was killed and a 12-year-old boy has died after a shooting in Northeast Washington, D.C. on Tuesday afternoon. Police say two shooters opened fire on a group of young people standing outside a convenience store, spraying the area with bullets. The victims were part of a group walking in the area when the suspects approached and started shooting.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence and its devastating impact on young lives in the District of Columbia. The shooting occurred in a residential neighborhood, raising concerns about public safety and the need for more effective strategies to address youth violence in the city.

The details

According to police, the shooting took place around 3:30 pm on Tuesday outside the Circle Express convenience store on Kenilworth Avenue. Two shooters approached the group of young people and opened fire, striking the 14-year-old and 12-year-old victims. One man who witnessed the incident said he heard more than 30 gunshots. The 14-year-old was initially reported as 13 years old, but police later corrected his age. The 12-year-old victim died from his injuries on Wednesday.

  • The shooting occurred around 3:30 pm on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.
  • The 14-year-old victim was initially reported as 13 years old, but police later corrected his age.
  • The 12-year-old victim died from his injuries on Wednesday, April 16, 2026.

The players

Jeffery Carroll

Interim Chief of Police for the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.

Terra Martin

A community activist whose son Delaneo was shot and killed by a U.S. Park Police officer in 2023 near the scene of this shooting.

Jay Brown

A longtime activist with personal ties to the neighborhood where the shooting occurred.

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What they’re saying

“The information that we believe is, possibly two shooters came up and then discharged at the group, striking our two young people.”

— Jeffery Carroll, Interim Chief of Police

“These kids are babies! They're younger than my son. My son was only 17, but these kids are younger than that.”

— Terra Martin, Community Activist

“These kids tell me all the time, they can't even go to a summer youth program because they're scared to leave off of the property. They're concerned about getting killed. So they wanted to have, always wanted to have, the programs on the property.”

— Jay Brown, Longtime Activist

What’s next

Police have not yet arrested any suspects in the shooting or released any information about their appearance. The investigation is ongoing.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address gun violence and youth safety in Washington, D.C. neighborhoods. Community leaders and activists are calling for more effective programs and resources to protect young people and provide them with safe spaces to learn and grow.