In the evening hours of Thursday, April 23, 2026, a tragedy unfolded in the Northeast quadrant of Washington, D.C., forever altering the lives of a local family. Seventeen-year-old Kenzell Locust, a Black male resident of Northeast D.C., was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The Metropolitan Police Department responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 5:14 p.m.
in the 5300 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE.
Upon their arrival, officers discovered the young victim, Kenzell Locust, who was still breathing but only semi-conscious. Emergency medical personnel acted quickly, transporting him to a nearby hospital for urgent care. Despite their life-saving efforts, Kenzell Locust succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The investigation into this homicide led authorities to a second crime scene in the 500 block of 55th Street, Northeast, where they found two unoccupied vehicles that had been struck by bullets. It is believed the shooting originated at this location before Kenzell was found on Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue.
The Metropolitan Police Department is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. As of now, authorities have not released any information regarding a potential suspect or a motive for the attack. It remains unclear what led to the shooting or if Kenzell Locust was the intended target. The police are urging anyone with information to come forward and have offered 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.
