By PETER HERMANN, DANA HEDGPETH AND JUSTIN WM. MOYER | The Washington Post | Published: January 1, 2021 WASHINGTON Homicides in the District of Columbia rose for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching nearly 200 for the first time since the previous decade and further stressing a city rattled by the pandemic and social and political unrest. The number of killings stood at 198 Thursday evening, making the past year the deadliest in the city since 2004. More than 920 people were shot in the District in 2020, a 64% increase from three years ago. The victims of deadly violence include a beloved school bus driver, a construction worker killed while renovating a home and a grandmother who survived covid-19. A little boy was fatally shot at a stop the violence cookout, and a toddler died of gunfire as he was strapped in a car seat.
Killings in D.C. hit 16-year high as shootings rise
Peter Hermann, Dana Hedgpeth and Justin Wm. Moyer, The Washington Post
Dec. 31, 2020
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1of3John Ayala leads on July 7 a march in the D.C. neighborhood where his grandson Davon McNeal, 11, was fatally shot by a stray bullet during an anti-violence cookout on the Fourth of July. Ayala says he wants police to be more engaged with the community. MUST CREDITI: Washington Post photo by Jahi ChikwendiuJahi Chikwendiu/The Washington PostShow MoreShow Less
2of3Robert Contee III speaks on Dec. 22 after being chosen by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser as police chief. The native Washingtonian, who has served on the force for 31 years, starts his new job Saturday.Photo by Robb Hill for The Washington PostShow MoreShow Less