Two young men were injured in a double shooting outside a gun violence prevention event at Peace Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2026. The incident occurred on 18th Street Northeast, approximately two miles from Capitol Hill, according to police reports. The pastor of the church was hosting a program aimed at educating students on gun violence prevention at the time of the shooting. The injured individuals were not affiliated with the church, and their identities have not been released. Both men are expected to recover.
City Council member Wendell Felder expressed his concern over the incident on social media, stating he is collaborating with the Metropolitan Police Department to apprehend the suspects. He noted the unfortunate timing of the shooting occurring near a youth program focused on preventing gun violence.
Following the shooting, police restricted access to the church for nearly two and a half hours while they conducted an investigation, including canvassing for surveillance footage and tips. During this time, a 16-year-old was arrested nearby for carrying two firearms in backpacks, though police have not confirmed any connection between the teen and the shooting, which is still under investigation.
Witness Jamil Davis, an electrician working nearby, reported hearing multiple gunshots and expressed concern for the safety of children in the area, reflecting on a previous incident he had experienced involving youth violence.