Teen Wounded in Columbia Heights During Sudden Outburst of Gunfire

A teenager was shot and wounded last night when a sudden hail of bullets was unleashed in front of a busy recreation center in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Northwest Washington.

The shooting on Girard Street NW came three days after another teenager was hit in a flurry of gunfire less than half a mile away. That youth was killed.

"This appears to be more gang-related violence," possibly an effort to retaliate, said D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1).

Both incidents came without warning and sent bystanders diving for cover.

The youth wounded last night on his left thumb was apparently one of several people outside the Columbia Heights Recreation Center in the 1400 block of Girard about 7:30 p.m.

They were approached by other people, at least one of whom wore a ski mask.

He carried a gun and opened fire, police said.

It was unclear whether the injured youth was a target of the shooting.

From the randomness of the spots where bullets struck the recreation center wall, the assailant seemed to be "shooting indiscriminately," said Inspector Edward Delgado of the 3rd Police District. Graham said four shots struck the recreation center's windows.

When the shooting began, Laura Maas, a neighbor, said she "immediately ducked down and hid behind cabinets" in her apartment.

After six or seven "very loud" shots, she heard the "sound of skidding wheels," suggestive of a fast getaway, she said.

"I'm very concerned because of the violence in the area," said another resident, Tamela Worthen, who said she would welcome police checkpoints such as were set up last year after outbreaks of violence in the Trinidad area of Northeast.

Friday night's shooting, in another part of rapidly gentrifying Columbia Heights, also prompted energetic efforts by passersby to avoid stray bullets.

Siobhan Gavagan was on her way to see a friend when she heard shots that apparently took the life of Paul Jones, 17, who was found in the rear of the 1300 block of Columbia Road.

She said she and a roommate held hands, ran and "hid underneath a car." For a time, the shots seemed to come closer, she said. "It was very scary."