After a shooting that left three wounded at a Washington Nationals baseball game, the D.C. police union took the opportunity to lash out at elected officials.
The union sent out a message on social media that said: “Welcome to Washington, D.C. Where violent crime permeates everything,” along with a clip showing fans rushing to the exit. “It’s a tragedy that elected officials won’t let us do our jobs,” the union added.
In a joint statement, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser and managing principal owner of the team Mark D. Lerner condemned the shooting, urging residents to “stand together against senseless acts of gun violence in the city we love.”
“Gun violence – no matter where it occurs in our city – is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the statement said.
Footage of the stadium after the shooting circulated online showing players and fans running to safety after hearing gunshots outside Nationals Park during the sixth inning of the game against the San Diego Padres.
An adult female and two males were shot and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The woman was found near the park and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The men, who were identified by police later, sought treatment at a nearby hospital for minor injuries. The victims are all currently being questioned by officers.
Investigators determined that individuals inside two separate vehicles opened fire on each other outside the stadium. Fox 5 DC reported that one of the vehicles has been apprehended.
Metropolitan D.C. Police detectives are asking for information from the public after catching the suspect fleeing the scene in a gray Toyota Corolla with a missing hubcap, tinted windows and a Virginia license plate. The vehicle was spotting on a nearby surveillance camera just after the shooting that broke out at 9:30 p.m. at the 1300 block of Southwest Capitol Street, Southwest.
The police told the public that the vehicle is “sought in reference to an assault with dangerous weapons offense,” and is offering a $10,000 dollar reward to anyone providing information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Nationals Manager Davey Martinez later posted a tweet thanking fans for their “admirable” conduct during the incident.
D.C. Metro police have increased patrols in the area since the shooting.
