District of Columbia police are investigating a triple-shooting following a hip-hop party at a downtown office building near Foggy Bottom early Monday morning.
Police said that at about 3:15 a.m., a gunman approached and fired into a crowd that was leaving a Columbus Day bash held at the Lafayette Centre office building, 1150 21st St. NW.
The shooting happened shortly after two men were beaten inside the Galleria, a 50-foot glass atrium inside the building where the promotional event was held, said Cmdr. Andrew Solberg, of the Second District.
One man was shot in the buttocks, another was shot in the leg and the third victim was grazed in the back and shoulder, police said.
Five victims were hospitalized. None of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening, Solberg said.
No arrests had been made Monday, police said.
The promoter had the appropriate one-day liquor license for the event and did not violate any city laws, Solberg said. About 450 people attended the party, he said.
A flier advertising the event, featuring Rare Essence, disc jockey Big John and the local hit “Dat Bama Be Cranking,” said the event was limited to people aged 23 and up.
The promoters charged $30 for advance tickets. Ward 1 D.C. Council Member Jim Graham, who has oversight of alcoholic beverage issues, said the event should have ended at 2 a.m., according to the permit approved by the alcohol and beverage board.
“Here’s another sign for the need for proper security plans ahead of these parties,” Graham said. “Surely we have learned this lesson, that you’ve got to establish proper security.”
A spokeswoman for the building’s management company, Cassidy and Pinkard Colliers, said in an e-mailed statement that the event was well-staffed by security personnel and the number of officers on site was comparable to other events of a similar size that have been held at the Galleria.
Staff writer Michael Neibauer contributed to this story.
