District Heights Drive-By Wounds 7
Residents Rushed To Shield Children

By Megan Greenwell and Martin Weil
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, May 13, 2007

People were enjoying the warmth of a mid-May afternoon in Prince George's County yesterday when the car came down the street, the barrel of an assault rifle poked out and the shooting started, police said.

Seven people, ranging in age from 12 to 21, were hit in the attack, which occurred about 5 p.m. on Atwood Street in the District Heights area of the county. As bullets flew, people fled for their lives, dived for cover or threw themselves in front of friends or relatives.

According to first reports, the victims, all male, were struck in their arms and legs, and taken to hospitals with wounds that were described as not life-threatening. None of them was identified by police.

The outbreak of gunfire in broad daylight, with many people, including young children, in the vicinity, left police and residents disturbed and dismayed.

"We're very concerned," said county police spokeswoman Cpl. Diane Richardson.

She said police found a vehicle abandoned nearby that they believe was used in the shooting. An AK-47 was found inside, Richardson said. The weapon is one of the most widely used assault rifles.

Police said they had not determined a motive in the shooting but said they were looking into the possibility that it might have been connected to a dispute at a fast-food restaurant not far away.

One neighbor said she was told that the assailants "were looking for someone" in particular. But, she said, "They didn't care who got shot."

Police said two to four people were in a car that drove down the 6800 block of Atwood Street, which is lined with three-story, garden-style brick apartment houses with peaked roofs. Police said they were told that someone in the vehicle pulled out a "long gun that resembled an assault weapon and opened fire."

Police said the vehicle later recovered was a red Lincoln sedan.

Accounts of the scene on Atwood just before the shootings varied. One woman said she believed that an outdoor birthday party was being held. Police could not confirm that, but Richardson said that according to one account, grills had been set up to prepare food, and people were "standing outside enjoying the day."

She asked that anyone with information contact police. Those involved in the attack, she said, are "dangerous people."

The ages of those hit are 12, 14, 16, 19, 20 and 21. Police said there were two 16-year-old victims.

One of them, Julian Lopez, was shot twice in the leg as he protected a 5-year-old friend, neighbors said. The younger child's mother, who identified herself only as Keisha, said her son Moody was standing in front of Julian in a small group of young people when the shooting started.

Julian was taken to Prince George's Hospital Center, Keisha said.

"[Julian] knocked him down to the ground and pushed him out of the way," Keisha said. "He is a hero. I'm going to go to the hospital right now and kiss him."

Keisha said several neighbors had been gathered outside talking and enjoying the warm weather when the shooting began. A woman who identified herself as Julian's sister but declined to give her name said she was on her way back into her apartment when she heard gunshots. Diving for cover, she fell down the stairs of her building and hurt her arm, she said.

"I heard a couple of gunshots, so I turned around and saw Julian push [Moody] out of the way. He saved the little boy's life," she said.

The woman said Julian did not know the attackers and did not think he was a target.

One resident said she was inside when the shooting began and dived to the floor. "I never go outside because of this," the woman said, adding that she hears gunshots "occasionally" in the neighborhood. "But this sounded like it was right in my building."