Shootings in Washington spotlight growing problem

Families supporting the local team. A woman waiting for her ride. A six-year-old girl playing outside. In one weekend, a series of shootings affected all of these Washington DC residents – and shocked a city all too familiar with the plague of gun violence.

It was the sixth inning. The Nationals Park baseball stadium, just south of Capitol Hill, was packed with thousands of fans spending their Saturday night watching the Washington Nationals play the San Diego Padres.

That was when the shots rang out. Cries of “shooter” rapidly spread through the crowd. Where had the attack come from? Was a gunman inside?

Families and players alike ran for cover, some hiding in the dugouts, some rushing for the exits or nearby buildings.

Police eventually confirmed the shots had been fired outside the stadium. Three people were injured – including an innocent bystander who was waiting for her Uber. 

Later, one eight-year-old fan, Faris, told reporters: “It was my second shooting. So I was kind of prepared. I always am expecting something to happen.” Faris’ mother explained that last year, her daughter heard a man shot to death while she was playing with her friends.