A shocking incident unfolded on May 20, 2025, near the site of the former Spingarn High School on Benning Road, NE, leaving one man dead and the local community rattled.
What began as a typical day with an elementary school track meet quickly turned into a scene of chaos and fear when multiple gunshots were fired near the grounds where 4th and 5th graders were participating in the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA) track meet.
This tragic event, occurring amidst children and school staff, raised urgent questions about safety in school neighborhoods and has left many seeking answers.
The Incident: A Shooting During an Elementary School Track Meet
On that Tuesday afternoon, the track meet was underway, bringing together young students from various schools to compete in a series of athletic events. The meet was scheduled with sessions running between noon and 2 p.m., with the shooting occurring during the transition between these sessions around 1:56 p.m. Despite the former Spingarn High School having been closed since 2013, its grounds were still being used for this important community event.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Fifth District officers responded quickly to reports of the shooting at the 2500 block of Benning Road. Upon arriving, they found an adult male lying unconscious on the sidewalk next to the track field. The man was not breathing and had suffered gunshot wounds. Despite emergency medical efforts, he was declared dead at the scene.
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According to preliminary investigations, the victim was simply walking along the sidewalk when three suspects approached him. The assailants, described by witnesses as men wearing black hoodies, opened fire, shooting the man multiple times before fleeing the scene in a silver or gray vehicle, later identified as a gray Honda Accord. Although police quickly issued a lookout for the car, it was found abandoned in the Fort Lincoln area without the suspects.
Fatal Shooting Incident on Spingarn High School Track
— Potomac Press (@PotomacPressDc) May 20, 2025
Mpd along with ATF and Park Police is is currently on scene of a homicide shooting at the former Springarn High School track following a shooting incident. There is potential for additional casualties. pic.twitter.com/x2vlcG1WmM
The brutality and brazenness of the attack, especially at a place and time when children were nearby, shook the community. Several witnesses, including young students, heard the gunfire and witnessed the immediate aftermath, with some initially mistaking the gunshots for race starting signals before realizing the terrifying truth.
Impact on the Community and Students
The shooting incident did not only affect the victim but left an emotional scar on the children and families attending the track meet. Ellie, a 9-year-old student, described the frightening moments following the shooting: “We were all eating lunch, and we were about to go down, and then all of a sudden, we thought it was the gun for like starting the race, but it was multiple repeats, and then everyone started running.” Ellie’s account captures the confusion and fear that erupted within minutes, as children realized something was seriously wrong.
Another student, 11-year-old Erin Shmidt, witnessed the shooting and recalled hearing at least 10 shots fired. Erin shared how scared and upset she was, noting, “I was scared and I was crying because I was like what’s happening?” These firsthand testimonies bring into stark relief the trauma children can experience when exposed to gun violence, even if they are not physically harmed.
DC Public Schools acted promptly to ensure the safety of all students and staff involved in the meet. A statement from DC Public Schools Chief Dr. Kim Jackson reassured families that all children and staff were accounted for and physically safe following the shooting. Coordination was immediately underway to return students safely to their respective schools.
Nearby schools, including Phelps High School, J.O. Wilson Elementary School, and Browne Education Campus, were put on alert status as a precautionary measure. The heightened alert was a necessary response given the proximity and the ongoing search for the suspects. It served as a reminder of the fragile nature of safety in the community and the ripple effect a violent incident can have on surrounding institutions.
MPD Chief Smith condemned the incident during a press conference, expressing the department’s commitment to addressing community safety concerns: “Today’s incident is completely unacceptable. No child should ever have to experience what was experienced today.” He appealed to the community for assistance, urging anyone with information to come forward to help bring the suspects to justice.
The Broader Context: Gun Violence Near Schools
This tragic event near the former Spingarn High School highlights the ongoing challenges faced by urban communities in safeguarding public spaces, especially those frequented by children.
Despite the Spingarn High School’s closure in 2013, the area continues to be an important hub for community and youth activities. The presence of violent crime in such spaces raises critical questions about public safety, law enforcement resources, and the role of community involvement in crime prevention.
Gun violence near schools is a particularly sensitive issue because it threatens not only the immediate victims but also undermines the sense of security essential for children’s growth and learning. The psychological impact on students who witness or hear gunshots can be profound and long-lasting, affecting their well-being and academic performance.
Efforts to address these concerns often involve collaboration between law enforcement, school authorities, parents, and community leaders. Initiatives such as increased police presence during school events, improved surveillance, community outreach programs, and youth engagement activities are all crucial components in creating safer environments.
In this case, the quick response by the Metropolitan Police and DC Public Schools to secure students and investigate the crime reflects a coordinated approach to crisis management. Yet, the incident serves as a sobering reminder that more comprehensive strategies are needed to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Community members are called upon to remain vigilant and supportive of law enforcement efforts to locate and apprehend those responsible. Sharing information, promoting safe neighborhood watch programs, and advocating for policies that reduce gun violence are essential steps in moving toward safer streets and public spaces.
The shooting near the former Spingarn High School on Benning Road, NE, has not only resulted in the tragic loss of a man’s life but has deeply impacted the local community, especially the children who were present during the event.
The incident underscores the urgent need for continued efforts to protect public spaces where youth gather and highlights the importance of community cooperation with law enforcement in addressing urban violence. As investigations continue, the hope remains that justice will be served and measures will be strengthened to prevent such incidents from happening again.