Authorities are investigating the deaths of two young boys, ages 12 and 14, who were shot Tuesday afternoon outside a convenience store in Northeast Washington, D.C.
The fatal shooting occurred just before 3:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Circle Seven Express on the 700 block of Kenilworth Avenue in the Mayfair neighborhood, Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department shared during a press briefing on Tuesday.
DC Fire and local emergency medical services also responded to the scene, officials said. Despite their life-saving efforts, Coates was pronounced dead at the scene. Young was transported to an area hospital in critical condition, where he later died from his injuries.
Speaking to reporters, Carroll said two possible shooters approached a group of youths standing outside the convenience store and opened fire, striking the two boys. He said a large number of shots were fired in a short amount of time, and noted that the area has experienced an uptick in fatal shootings over the past week, including domestic incidents and targeted acts of violence.
"This is a very tragic situation," Carroll said. "Our hearts go out to the families."
During a separate press conference on Wednesday, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said investigators do believe the double homicide incident was a targeted shooting.
No additional information was provided by the police. The suspects remain at large, and no arrests have been made in the case. Investigators have also not released a possible motive or any suspect descriptions related to the fatal shooting.
The Metropolitan Police Department's Major Case Squad is leading the ongoing investigation. The department offers a standard reward of up to $25,000 for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved for each homicide in the District of Columbia, bringing the potential reward in the case to $50,000.
Anyone with information about the double homicide is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police Department by calling the Real-Time Crime Center at (202) 727-9099 or by texting 50411.