Officials in D.C. share their condolences and concerns with Karon Blake’s family after he was shot and killed in the Brookland neighborhood.
Elected officials in D.C. said they’re concerned and want to know more about what led to a man shooting and killing a 13-year-old boy in the District’s Brookland neighborhood.
The shooting happened at 4 a.m. Saturday at the 1000 block of Quincy Street in Northeast. According to D.C. police, a man confronted 13-year-old Karon Blake after he had allegedly witnessed him break into car before shooting and killing the teen.
Police have not released the name of the man who fired the gun.
Council member Zachary Parker of Ward 5, the jurisdiction where the shooting happened, said he communicated with D.C. police and the Blake family. Parker later released a statement, saying neighbors deserve to know more about the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
“No car or material possession is worth a life – under any circumstances,” Parker said in the statement. “I join Ward 5 residents in calling on the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold accountable the individual who took Karon’s life.”
Parker also said a community meeting will be held at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center on Tuesday at 7 p.m. to hear from residents. He said police and community leaders will be at the meeting.
At a news conference on Monday, Mayor Muriel Bowser said she was saddened by the Northeast shooting that took Blake’s life.
“We would rather be talking about a 13-year-old going to school today than to talk about him being killed on one of our streets,” Bowser said. “I know that MPD is working on this investigation, and it’s ongoing and they are in consultation with the United States Attorney.”
Ward 2 Council member Brooke Pinto offered her condolences to Blake’s family on Twitter.
I’m outraged & sickened by the shooting of 13 y/o Karon Blake. I’ve spoken to MPD Asst. Chief & will be following the investigation to ensure justice is served, although we can never bring back the life of this child. Gun has been recovered. My condolences to the Blake family. https://t.co/mBnkoRS19d
— Councilmember Brooke Pinto (@CMBrookePinto) January 9, 2023
Police have said officers found Blake at the scene with gunshot wounds as the homeowner who shot the teen performed CPR.
Blake was taken to an area hospital, where he later died.
According to WTOP’s news partner NBC Washington, two young boys were allegedly seen running away from the scene, and neighbors said they heard four to five gunshots during the incident.
The homeowner cooperated with investigators, police said.
In his statement, Parker shared his condolences with Blake’s family.
“He was a son, brother, friend, and student who should still be here,” Parker said. “I am deeply saddened and outraged by Karon’s killing.”
NBC Washington reported that Blake went to Brookland Middle School. Principal Kerry Richardson sent an email to the school’s staff, calling Blake a “quiet and inquisitive scholar who loved fashion and football.”
Below is where police said the shooting happened.
WTOP’s Dana Sukontarak contributed to this report.