At the core of the District's bloodiest year this century is what local leaders have bemoaned for months: minor disputes that rapidly escalate into fatal encounters.
Washington DC has experienced a surge of random street robberies in recent weeks, with criminals ambushing their victims outside of bars, libraries, and on busy sidewalks across the city..
Attempted stick-ups turning into fatal shootings. Robbers ambushing victims on sidewalks. Small-time crooks making their first foray into felony crime with violent thefts.