On the afternoon of New Year's Eve, 2025, a burst of gunfire shattered the calm in a Southeast Washington, D.C. neighborhood, leaving one man dead and another critically injured. The deceased was identified as 31-year-old Darnell Bassett of Northeast, D.C. The shooting occurred at approximately 1:02 p.m. in the 200 block of 37th Street, SE.
Metropolitan Police Department officers from the Sixth District responded to reports of the shooting and discovered both Bassett and another adult
male suffering from gunshot wounds at the rear of a building. D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel transported both victims to local hospitals. Despite all life-saving efforts, Darnell Bassett succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The second victim was admitted and remained in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.
The investigation into the double shooting is ongoing, with the Metropolitan Police Department actively seeking information from the public. Authorities have stated they are searching for a black Honda sedan with Virginia license plates that was reportedly occupied by at least two suspects at the time of the incident. No further descriptions of the suspects have been released to the public.
The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, and as of now, no arrests have been made in the case. The Metropolitan Police Department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this homicide. They are urging anyone with knowledge of the incident to contact them.
