In the early morning hours of Monday, February 2, 2026, a 911 hang-up call led Washington, D.C. police to a grim discovery in a residence on the 3100 block of 16th Street, Northwest. Inside, officers found 27-year-old Nyesha Walden-Hatcher, a Black female, who had sustained a fatal gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene but found no signs of life, and she was pronounced dead at approximately 3:00 a.m.
The location of the incident was noted to be near the Columbia Heights Metro station.
The Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch is leading the ongoing investigation into Walden-Hatcher's death. As of early February 2026, detectives were still working to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting and had not publicly identified a motive. Investigators were processing the scene for evidence, reviewing surveillance footage, and interviewing potential witnesses in an effort to piece together the events of that morning.
At this time, no arrests have been made in the case, and police have not released any information about a potential suspect or suspects. The Metropolitan Police Department is urging anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward and has offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Nyesha Walden-Hatcher's death. The department has encouraged the public to contact detectives at 727-9099 or to send anonymous tips via text to 50411.
