9-year-old boy slain during apparent robbery in NW

A 9-year-old boy was shot and killed Saturday night in the Columbia Heights area of Northwest Washington in an apparent robbery attempt, authorities said.

D.C. police said the boy was killed inside his apartment in the 1400 block of Columbia Road by a shot that apparently came through the door. At least two law enforcement officials who were on the scene, but not authorized to speak publicly, said that the boy's family had rushed into the apartment to avoid an attempted robbery.

The assailant, the sources said, fired through the door hitting the boy, whose name has not been officially released. Authorities said the shot was fired shortly before 10 p.m, and officers--who arrived before paramedics--attempted to revive the child.

Police were in the area in connection with the department's All Hands on Deck initiative, authorities said. Three people were questioned late Saturday night but authorities have not announced an arrest.

D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) was among the city officials who went to the scene. "Here's a boy in the safety of his own home," and yet he was killed, Graham said.