Mother Fatally Shot in DC, Missing Toddler Found After Amber Alert, Police Say

In a rear alley, they found a woman unconscious and not breathing with apparent gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts by D.C. Fire and EMS, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Kelly McBride Ni

Published: 4/22/2026, 11:56:21 PM EDT

Mother Fatally Shot in DC, Missing Toddler Found After Amber Alert, Police Say — Police said 2-year-old Royce Hawkins was safely located Wednesday after an AMBER Alert was issued following the fatal shooting of his mother in Northwest Washington. (Metropolitan Police Department)

A 25-year-old mother was fatally shot in Northwest Washington late Tuesday, prompting an urgent search for her missing toddler that ended hours later when the child was found unharmed, police said.

Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded around 10:52 p.m. to the 600 block of Kenyon Street Northwest after reports of gunfire.

In a rear alley, they found a woman unconscious and not breathing with apparent gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts by D.C. Fire and EMS, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities identified the victim as Jamillah Gales, 25, who had no fixed address.

Investigators determined Gales had been with her 2-year-old child shortly before the shooting. When the child could not be located, police issued an AMBER alert early Wednesday amid concerns for the child’s safety. Officers canvassed the neighborhood.

The MPD announced that the child was located unharmed shortly before 11 a.m. on Wednesday inside a nearby residence, according to a press release from police.

Police said the suspect in the homicide and another adult male were inside the residence where the child was found. The suspect was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder.

“The suspect’s identity will be released once positively confirmed,” stated the MPD.

According to local news 7News, the child will be taken to the hospital for evaluation as a precaution and then will be placed with child protective services.

Police are asking anyone with additional information in this case to reach out to the police at (202) 727-9099 or text tips to the Department's TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.

The killing of Gales comes amid a series of recent homicides and shootings in D.C. On April 14, a 14-year-old and a 12-year-old were fatally shot, according to the MPD.

Officers had responded to the 700 block of Kenilworth Avenue Northeast, where they found two boys suffering from gunshot wounds.

A 14-year-old, identified as Tyale Coates, was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim, 12-year-old Mhilo Young, was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries but later died from his injuries. Both victims were from Northeast, D.C.

The case remains under investigation by MPD’s Major Case Squad, and authorities are offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

In a separate homicide, MPD officers found 34-year-old Delonte Turner of Southeast, D.C., shot and unresponsive on Brandywine Street Southeast. He was pronounced dead despite emergency lifesaving efforts, authorities said at the scene. The MPD is offering a reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of the person responsible.