In the spring of 2013, a Washington, D.C. community was shaken by the violent death of Rahmaan Jamal Ward. On the night of Tuesday, April 23, the 32-year-old Black man was near his home in Southeast D.C. when he became the target of a fatal shooting. The incident occurred at approximately 10:07 p.m. in the 3500 block of 18th Street, SE, a residential area that would become the scene of a homicide investigation.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department were dispatched to the area after reports of gunshots. Upon their arrival, they discovered Ward suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his chest. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in a desperate attempt to save his life, but his injuries proved too severe, and he was pronounced dead a short time later.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, details were scarce.
The police canvassed the neighborhood, speaking to potential witnesses and searching for any evidence that might lead them to the person or persons responsible for Ward's death. Investigators worked to piece together the events of that night, but no immediate motive for the shooting was identified, and no description of any suspects was released to the public.
Days turned into weeks, and despite the ongoing investigation and a reward of up to $25,000 offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction, the case grew cold. The Metropolitan Police Department has continued to appeal to the public for assistance, hoping that someone with knowledge of the crime will come forward. To date, no arrests have been announced in the homicide of Rahmaan Jamal Ward, leaving his family and community still waiting for answers and for justice to be served.
