Police are searching for the person who shot and killed a man inside an apartment building in Navy Yard on Easter Sunday, while residents say they're deeply concerned for their safety.
The victim, a 44-year-old Michael James Quander, Jr., was shot inside an apartment building on 2nd Place Southeast near M Street at around 3 a.m., D.C. police said.
Authorities have not announced a suspect or possible motive in the deadly shooting.
“I'm ready to move. This is unacceptable, very unacceptable. And I don't like it,” neighbor Niko Jones said.
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“I have a camera on my door [and] I have a bar at my door that goes from the floor to the door, so that no one can just kick my door in,” resident Sheronda Magbie said.
Navy Yard has seen a number of violent crimes in recent months. In October, Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar was carjacked at gunpoint and a resident was chased and assaulted by an armed suspect in broad daylight. In February, a DC Housing Authority officer was shot. Just a few days ago, a manhunt was underway for an armed suspect who fled a traffic stop.
“There's been an uptick in crime for sure,” neighbor Jacklyn Hooey said. “[I’m] kinda just desensitized to it, if that makes sense.”
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According to the Metropolitan Police Department, there were four homicides in the area this past year, compared to two the previous year. Car thefts were up 94%, and thefts from cars were up 62%. Robberies increased 35%. Assaults with a dangerous weapon, however, were actually down 14%.
Magbie, a native Washingtonian, said seeing crime is nothing new.
“I know what used to be here, so what you're seeing now is a return to what was. I don't care how much you dress it up, D.C. is going to be D.C.,” she said.
Anyone with information on Sunday’s shooting is asked to contact police by calling 202-727-9099 or texting 50411. A reward of up to $25,000 may be available.
