Police officials from New York City and Washington, D.C., announced on Sunday that a recent series of shootings targeting the homeless might have been committed by a single man.
The shootings have killed two men and injured three so far. Both police departments said they are committed to seeking out the shooter in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
“From the first incident, the Metropolitan Police has spared no resource in our efforts to identify the suspect behind these cowardly acts,” MPD Chief Robert J. Contee said in a press statement. “We are committed to sharing every investigative path, clue, and piece of evidence with our law enforcement partners to bring this investigation to a swift conclusion and the individual behind these vicious crimes to justice.”
The shootings have occurred over two weeks, starting in Washington. The first shooting was on March 3, when police discovered an adult male victim suffering from gunshot wounds. The next incident occurred on Tuesday, when a second man was found injured from gunshot wounds on H Street. An MPD officer observed a tent fire on Wednesday and immediately requested assistance. After the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department extinguished the fire, they discovered the burnt remains of an adult male. A later autopsy revealed that the man died of multiple stab and gunshot wounds.
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The shooter then allegedly moved to New York, where the man shot two and killed one man on Saturday.
Police released an image of the shooter and requested assistance in identifying the person.
“Our homeless population is one of our most vulnerable, and an individual preying on them as they sleep is an exceptionally heinous crime,” New York Police Department Commissioner Keechant Sewell said. “We will use every tool, every technique, and every partner to bring the killer to justice.”
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The attacks are occurring as New York Mayor Eric Adams is pushing to move homeless residents from the city’s subway system. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has also been aggressively pushing to clear the city’s homeless encampments in recent months.
