On Saturday night, the quiet of Southeast Washington, D.C. was shattered by the sound of gunfire near the intersection of Galen Street and Green Street. According to both 7News and DC News Now, the Metropolitan Police Department’s 7th District responded to reports of shots fired around 9:52 p.m. on September 13, 2025. What they found upon arrival was a scene that has, unfortunately, become all too familiar in urban America: a man wounded by gunfire, yet still conscious and breathing.
Police quickly secured the area and assessed the victim’s condition. Officers discovered the man with a gunshot wound, but he was alert enough to communicate with first responders. Emergency medical services were summoned, and the victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. As of Sunday morning, September 14, 2025, authorities had not released further details about his condition, leaving the community anxious for updates and hoping for his recovery.
The shooting took place in a residential part of Southeast D.C., a neighborhood that, like many others in the city, has seen its share of violence and heartbreak. The incident occurred just before 10 p.m., a time when many residents would have been winding down for the night or spending time with family. Instead, the sound of sirens and the flashing lights of emergency vehicles became the neighborhood’s late-night backdrop.
In the immediate aftermath, the Metropolitan Police Department launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The department quickly released a description of the suspected shooter, hoping for the public’s help in tracking him down. According to both news outlets, authorities are searching for a Black man who was last seen wearing a black zip-up hoodie, a white shirt, black pants, and white shoes. This description, while brief, is crucial in the early hours of an investigation when leads can quickly grow cold.
Police have urged anyone with information about the shooting or the suspect’s whereabouts to come forward. They’ve provided two ways for the public to assist: by calling the MPD at 202-727-9099 or by texting tips to 50411. These tip lines have become an essential tool in modern policing, allowing witnesses or community members to share information confidentially and, in some cases, anonymously.
The victim’s identity and the motive behind the shooting had not been disclosed as of Sunday, and police have not indicated whether the victim and the suspect knew each other. Such details often emerge as investigations progress, but for now, neighbors and loved ones are left with more questions than answers. Was this an act of random violence, a personal dispute turned tragic, or something else entirely? The uncertainty hangs heavy over the community.
This incident comes at a time when Washington, D.C., like many major cities across the United States, continues to grapple with concerns about public safety and gun violence. While the overall crime rate in D.C. has fluctuated in recent years, shootings have remained a persistent and deeply troubling issue for residents and city officials alike. The city’s leaders have repeatedly called for community cooperation and proactive policing to stem the tide of violence.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, community involvement is often the key to solving cases like this. "We rely on the public’s help to bring those responsible to justice and to prevent further violence," an MPD spokesperson told DC News Now. The department’s plea for tips reflects a broader strategy that emphasizes partnership between law enforcement and residents—a relationship that, while sometimes strained, is vital for neighborhood safety.
For those living near Galen and Green streets, the shooting is a stark reminder of the fragility of peace in their daily lives. While many go about their routines without incident, the specter of violence can appear suddenly, disrupting the sense of security that every community deserves. It’s a reality that weighs heavily on parents, children, and elders alike, prompting conversations about safety, vigilance, and the need for collective action.
Local organizations and activists have long advocated for a multifaceted approach to reducing gun violence, one that combines law enforcement efforts with investments in education, mental health services, and economic opportunity. They argue that while swift police response is important, lasting change requires addressing the root causes that lead to such incidents in the first place. "We can’t police our way out of this problem alone," a community leader told 7News in a previous interview, emphasizing the importance of prevention and support systems.
As the investigation continues, authorities are likely reviewing surveillance footage from the area, canvassing for witnesses, and analyzing any physical evidence recovered at the scene. The process can be painstaking, but every detail matters. In many cases, it’s a single tip or observation—a neighbor who saw something unusual, a passerby who remembers a detail about the suspect’s clothing—that breaks a case wide open.
The search for the suspect described as a Black man in a black zip-up hoodie, white shirt, black pants, and white shoes remains ongoing. Police have not indicated whether they believe the shooter is still in the area or if he may have fled to another part of the city. The uncertainty adds to the community’s unease, as residents wonder whether the person responsible could still be nearby.
In the wake of the shooting, city officials are expected to reiterate calls for calm and cooperation. Public safety briefings and community meetings often follow such incidents, providing a forum for residents to voice concerns, ask questions, and receive updates from law enforcement. These gatherings are an important part of the healing process, offering reassurance and fostering dialogue between police and the people they serve.
For now, the intersection of Galen and Green streets stands as the latest site of violence in a city striving to protect its citizens. The hope, as always, is that justice will be served and that the victim will recover from his injuries. Until then, the community waits—watchful, worried, and determined not to let fear define their neighborhood.
Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-727-9099 or to text tips to 50411. Police stress that even the smallest detail could prove vital in solving the case and bringing closure to those affected.
As the investigation unfolds, Southeast D.C. finds itself confronting hard truths about violence and resilience, with neighbors leaning on each other and hoping for a safer tomorrow.
