Youth, 14, Is Fatally Shot in Clash With D.C. Police

"We express our condolences to this family. . . . Whenever we lose a 14-year-old, under any circumstances, it is a loss for the city," the mayor said.

Fenty said Lanier, who arrived at the scene in uniform, had visited the slain youth's family earlier at Children's Hospital, where he had been taken after the shooting. The youth was pronounced dead there.

The incident occurred among modest two-story red brick dwellings on a street in the Condon Terrace area, about a half-mile from the border with Prince George's County.

According to Dandridge, who was responsible last night for the two police districts east of the Anacostia River, the two officers were investigating an earlier burglary in Southeast Washington. However, it was unclear what specific information led them to Atlantic Street, and apparently to a courtyard there, where the gunfire eventually broke out.

Details of the burglary -- exactly where and when it occurred and what might have been stolen-- could not be learned last night. No explanation was available as to why the officers were continuing to pursue it after they went off duty.

Lanier did not specify the crime the officers were investigating but said that in the course of their activities, they came upon at least one juvenile who was considered a possible suspect.

In his early account, Dandridge said the officers encountered the youth and his companion on Atlantic Street and identified themselves as members of the police department.

At some point in that confrontation, one youth fired "multiple times," Dandridge said.

At least one of the officers returned fire, Dandridge said.

Whether any weapon was found on Atlantic Street could not be learned. Lanier said that was part of the investigation.

The officers were placed on administrative leave, which is routine after such occurrences. Neither was identified by name. Their specific police assignments were not released.

It was not clear how many people might have seen the confrontation. A number of residents interviewed by reporters said they knew little or nothing about it. Several said the appearance of police and fire vehicles was their first indication that something had happened. Others said only that they heard shots and saw or heard a helicopter.

But as police looked over the scene last night, youths gathered nearby, cursing and making obscene gestures.

Members of the police force investigating team and 7th Police District officers were involved last night in the review of the shooting.

A relatively large number of shootings by the D.C. police was identified several years ago as a significant problem for the force. But new policies that were implemented, including increased training, were credited with reducing the number sharply.