A 33-year-old Arlington man was out with friends on a Saturday night in Northwest Washington more than two years ago when he was shot and killed. His slaying remains unsolved.
Damon Ward was shot in the chest on Feb. 26, 2006, at 2:54 a.m. in front of 1208 U St. NW. He was transported to Howard University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a few hours later.
Ward had been attending a private party at Duke’s City Jazz on U Street that night. He was shot after he and two women from the party left the club and crossed the street to Ben’s Chili Bowl. Police believe he was not the target of the shooting, but rather an innocent bystander who was hit by a stray bullet. A 21-year-old woman was also struck by a bullet, but was not seriously injured, according to police.
Investigators believed the gunshots resulted from a scuffle over a parking space that did not involve Ward.
There were three or four culprits in the case, all of whom got away in a dark four-door small truck, according to police. They are believed to be of Ethiopian or Somali decent. A witness reported hearing most of them speaking Amharic, a language of Ethiopia, while one spoke fluent English.
Another witness who came forward shortly after police filed the initial report described the getaway vehicle differently. He said after he heard the gunshots, he saw a small, dark, boxy, four-door sedan that looked like a 1970s model fly by him on the street. The car, which was full of people, was driving on the wrong side of the road and it ran a red light, he said.
Ward was an architect who designed urban projects including lofts and sky-lit cafes. He also designed the world’s first cage-free animal shelter.
Anyone with tips regarding this crime is asked to call D.C. police at 202-727-9099.
