In the early morning hours of Sunday, December 21, 2025, a violent incident unfolded in Southeast Washington, D.C., claiming the life of 23-year-old male Dennis Ziegler. At approximately 6:03 a.m., officers from the Metropolitan Police Department's Sixth District were dispatched to the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, following reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival at the scene, first responders discovered Ziegler unconscious and not breathing, suffering from a critical gunshot wound.
Personnel from DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services attended to the victim at the scene before transporting him to a local hospital for urgent treatment. Despite the life-saving efforts provided by medical staff, Ziegler succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. The incident was subsequently classified as a homicide, prompting an immediate investigation by the department’s Homicide Branch.
As of the days immediately following the shooting, detectives had not reported any arrests in connection with the case. The investigation remained active, with police officials urging anyone with information about the events leading up to Ziegler’s death to come forward. The Metropolitan Police Department offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime, asking the public to contact them directly or utilize the department's anonymous text tip line.
