Suspect Arrested in Shootings Of New York, DC Homeless
WASHINGTON – Washington, D.C., police say they arrested a man Tuesday morning suspected of shooting at least five homeless men this month.
Two of the five men died. All of them lived in New York City or Washington.
“Early this AM, law enforcement arrested the suspect in Washington, D.C.,” the Metropolitan Police Department reported in a tweet. “He is currently being interviewed at our Homicide Branch. Additional information will be forthcoming. Thanks to the community for all your tips.”
Police and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were offering a combined $70,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.
His name has not yet been released publicly. Police did not say whether a tipster’s information led to the arrest.
Police released photos and video of the suspect to the media, which published it widely. It included a photo of the man’s face taken from a surveillance camera.
Beginning on March 3, the suspect is accused of shooting three men in separate random shootings in Washington. He is also accused of shooting two more homeless men in New York.
Ballistics tests linked all the shootings to a single gun.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a press conference Monday, “We know that this is a scary situation. We know that our unsheltered residents already face a lot of daily dangers and it is unconscionable that anybody would target this vulnerable population.”
New York Mayor Eric Adams said at a separate press conference, “Homelessness should not be a homicide.”
Tom can be reached at [email protected].
