Six Injured in Attacks on Mall and in SE

Youth Stabbed Near Capitol; Gunman Shoots 4 in Greenway Neighborhood

Six people were wounded last night in three separate attacks in the District, one of them occurring at the edge of the Mall, the other two in neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River.

In the latest of the attacks, which occurred about 11:30 p.m. in the 3400 block of 25th Street SE, a man was shot several times and critically wounded. He was unconscious as he was taken to a hospital.

Earlier, a youth who appeared to be about 15 was stabbed in an attack on Third Street a block or two off the Mall, within sight of the Capitol, museums and other public buildings.

D.C. police seized three youths a couple of blocks away, on the Mall near Jefferson Drive SW, and were trying late last night to determine what prompted the attack.

The wounded youth was stabbed in the side, and his wound did not appear to be life-threatening, police said. It was unclear whether the youth was stabbed during a robbery attempt or whether the attack might have stemmed from an exchange of words.

As of late last night, no charges had been filed in the attack.

Police did not release names of the youths, but they said the youth who was attacked and the three taken into custody were all believed to be District residents. It was not clear whether the youths knew one another, they said.

Violent incidents remain rare in that area. There was a spate of after-dark attacks on the Mall about two years ago, but few, if any, violent incidents have been reported in the area since.

The third incident also occurred about 8 p.m., as the sun was setting.

D.C. police said a number of people were gathered in the 300 block of 37th Street SE, in the Greenway neighborhood, about a mile east of the Anacostia River.

A vehicle suddenly drove up, and a man clad in black stepped out, police said.

The man opened fire. As many as 10 shell casings littered the street afterward. Assistant Police Chief Diane Groomes said they seemed to be from a handgun.

Two men were struck in the buttocks and were taken to Prince George's Hospital Center. A third man was hit in a leg. He was taken to Howard University Hospital. A woman's foot was grazed by a shot.

After the shooting, the assailant returned to the car, and the vehicle sped off, apparently sideswiping two parked cars.

Police said they knew of no motive in the attack. They said they hoped to learn more by going door-to-door in the area, which is north of Sousa Middle School.

Groomes said the neighborhood where the attack occurred has come to the attention of police. "We've received complaints here for drug dealing," Groomes said.

A police source who declined to be quoted by name said that envelopes were found on the block that were believed to be the type sometimes used in drug distribution.