Police offer $60K reward for info in death of 1-year-old in southeast D.C.

December 14, 2020 Amber28 US 0

File – A D.C. Metropolitan Police car is pictured. (Reuters Photo)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 10:31 AM PT – Monday, December 14, 2020

The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. is working with the FBI and ATF to find those responsible for the death of a toddler. The agencies offered up $60,000 Thursday for any information that could lead to justice for 15-month-old Carmelo Duncan.

Carmelo was fatally shot in southeast D.C. last week while strapped in his car seat and riding in a vehicle with his father as well as his 8-year-old brother.

Authorities believe the shooting was a targeted attack and that shots were fired from more than one gun, which left the car riddled with bullet holes.

Carmelo’s father and brother were unharmed.

“Unfortunately, it was learned the 15-month-old Carmelo Duncan had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and he was pronounced dead at a local hospital,” stated Police Chief Peter Newsham. “As the mayor mentioned, this is an unfathomable tragedy and my sincere condolences go out to Carmelo’s family.”

Carmelo is now among the youngest homicide victims in D.C. this year. Dozens gathered in the neighborhood to mourn his loss and demand justice for the 1-year-old boy. The demonstrators asked that anyone who may knows something, say something.

The group said they are tired as there have been 187 homicides in Washington, D.C. this year. This is a 20 percent increase over 2019 and the highest in the nation’s capital in 15 years.

Police are looking for any relevant surveillance footage of the incident and are searching for a dark grey SUV with heavily-tinted windows they believe may have been involved in the shooting.

The below dark-colored BMW SUV was reported stolen the day before the tragic shooting of 1 y/o Carmelo Duncan. We believe it to be connected to this case & need your help. Please take a moment to share these images.

Recognize this vehicle? Call (202) 727-9099/text 50411 pic.twitter.com/qvVjY9CdvF

— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) December 10, 2020

They are also urging the suspects to turn themselves in as officers have every intention of working diligently around the clock to bring those responsible to justice.