DISTRICT BRIEFING

FATAL SHOOTINGS

Woman, Man Killed in Separate Attacks

Two people were shot to death late Tuesday in separate attacks in the District, including a woman killed in what might have been an attempted carjacking, police said.

A group of six men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, approached a BMW 750i sedan in the 2400 block of Ninth Street NW near Howard University about 10:30 p.m., police said. As the car's driver attempted to drive away, the gunman opened fire.

A bullet struck and killed a passenger, Barbara A. Carl, 47, of the 600 block of Poplar Drive in Falls Church, police said.

Just after midnight, Robert Mallory, 19, of the 1300 block of Talbert Street SE, was found shot in the 1500 block of F Street NE, police said. He died at a hospital.

-- Clarence Williams

CAREFIRST FORUMS

Cheh Seeks Residents' Input on Service

The D.C. Council's Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs is holding public forums for subscribers to CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (non-HMO) health insurance. Committee Chairman Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), who is leading an investigation of CareFirst's compliance with its nonprofit mission, is hosting the forums to hear from residents regarding the company's quality of service.

The first forum, for residents of wards 3 and 4, will be from 7 to 9 tonight at the Chevy Chase Community Center, 5601 Connecticut Ave. NW, Cheh's office said.

The committee and the attorney general's office teamed up last month to push back at the provider, which has been challenged for limited use of its public funds. Besides the council investigation, Acting Attorney General Peter J. Nickles filed a lawsuit, trying to force the company to contribute millions in community benefits.