Man found fatally shot in car near National Park, DC police say

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A fatal shooting outside the National Park early Sunday afternoon sent pedestrians running and led businesses to close, officials said.

Just before 1 p.m., officers responded to reports of gunshots on N Street SE just outside Nationals Park and a line of sports bars, restaurants and the BetMGM Sportsbook betting facility, according to DC police 1st District Cmdr. Tasha Bryant. When police arrived, they found a man with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle. Police did not release any other information about the man or the vehicle.

He died on the spot shortly afterwards. When asked for comment, a spokesman for the Nationals deferred to D.C. police.

Bryant said police believe the victim was the intended target of the attack.

Security footage appears to show a dark-colored SUV speeding out of the area shortly after the shooting, Bryant said. Police are reviewing additional footage from security and traffic cameras to learn more about the car and shooter involved.

Pedestrians and customers in nearby businesses took cover and scrambled to enter from restaurant patios when shots rang out Sunday afternoon.

BetMGM Sportsbook, a sports betting center that opened earlier this year next to National Park’s center field gate, announced it was closing shortly after the shooting. Elisa Richardson, spokeswoman for BetMGM, said the company decided to do so “for the safety of our employees.”

D.C. police said no other victims or property damage were reported in the shooting.

“Fortunately, we didn’t have a lot of traffic out here,” Bryant said at a news conference at the scene, adding: “Any loss of life is too much for us.”

“We are committed to removing the drivers of gun violence from our community and we need our citizens and visitors to help us,” he said. “I want everyone to feel comfortable coming here.”

D.C. police asked anyone with information to call 202-727-9099 or text the department’s tip line at 50411.

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