Investigation Into D.C. Drive By Shooting Continues

By Elliott Francis

Authorities say two men, 20-year-old Orlander Carter and 26-year-old Nathaniel Simms, and one male juvenile, will face charges in connection with a drive-by shooting in Southeast Washington last night that killed four people and wounded five other.

By noon, the on-site investigation near the 4000 block of South Capitol Street in Southeast D.C. had wrapped up and the area was re-opened. As residents walked the neighborhood, some such as Larry Moore, were quick to vent their frustration.

"You see all these police when ain't nothing going on," he says. "Then soon as something happens, you don't see 'em; then they want to flood the place after it happens."

Lifelong resident Patricia Qwens says it's the lack of city services in the area that helps spawn gun violence.

"We need the programs here," says Owens, "not up in Northwest, not up in Georgetown, not up in those places were people can afford to send their kids to the finest and the best, we need them here 'cause our babies are not lost, they're just mislead."

Other people here say the shooting was the result of a dispute between two rival groups, possibly over stolen jewelry. But in a neighborhood where talking too much can get you killed, no one wanted to put that on tape.