On a Wednesday afternoon in Washington, D.C., violence shattered the quiet of the Brookland neighborhood. On September 9, 2020, 31-year-old Jonathan Raiford, a Black male from Northeast D.C., was shot and killed. The shooting occurred around 4:34 p.m. in the 900 block of Irving Street, NE. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered Raiford lying on a patch of grass behind a residence, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Emergency services transported Raiford to a local
hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal. A second man was also found nearby in the 800 block of Michigan Avenue, NE, also with multiple gunshot wounds. This second victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. A police report indicated that the shooting was connected to a Toyota Camry that had sustained significant gunfire damage. Another passenger in the car suffered cuts and bruises but was not shot.
The Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch is leading the investigation into Raiford's death. Authorities have been searching for suspects and a vehicle of interest that were captured on a nearby surveillance camera. The police have not publicly discussed a possible motive for the shooting.
As of the latest available reports, no arrests have been made in connection with the homicide. The Metropolitan Police Department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Jonathan Raiford's death. They are urging anyone with information about the case to come forward and contact the police.
