A man believed to be an innocent bystander was shot and killed in Northwest D.C. Thursday afternoon when a dispute between three people inside a deli spilled outside and shots were fired.
The dispute and shooting happened in the 1900 block of 7th St. NW at about 1:15 p.m. D.C. Police Commander James Boteler said in a media briefing.
Officers who were on a nearby street heard the gunfire and responded to the scene. That's when they found the man suffering from a gunshot wound. They tried to save his life, but he died at an area hospital.
Police said the fight happened between three men inside the deli's vestibule and spilled out to the street.
A person of interest was taken into custody, Boteler said, and a weapon was recovered.
Police are now speaking to witnesses and reviewing surveillance cameras as they investigated the incident.
" Unfortunately, there are too many people carrying firearms, you know, simple ... verbal disputes leading to gunfire," said Boteler. "It's just unacceptable in any city, especially here in Washington, D.C."