On the night of Friday, September 1, 2023, 19-year-old Mikeya Ferguson was fatally shot in Washington, D.C., at approximately 11:56 p.m. in the 1300 block of 7th Street Northwest. She was sitting on a playground with her 15-year-old cousin, Lashani Scott, and 18-year-old friend Cle’shai Perry when dozens of gunshots were fired. All three were struck while trying to flee; Mikeya and Cle’shai were pronounced dead after being taken to hospitals. Lashani survived but was critically injured with multiple gunshot wounds, including two to the neck and one to the back that fractured her backbone.

Mikeya was described by her family as the oldest of seven siblings who loved school and having a good time. The family said they were not immediately allowed to see her body and expressed deep grief and frustration over the city’s gun violence. The Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Branch is investigating; no suspects or arrests have been publicly identified and a reward of up to $50,000 has been offered for information leading to arrest and conviction.

If anyone was at the playground that night or has information about the shooting, please share what is known with investigators.