WASHINGTON — Police have confirmed two men were shot near the National Zoo Monday afternoon.
The shooting, which WTOP first reported, occurred just after 5:15 p.m. Monday near the 3000 block of Connecticut Avenue NW. One man was shot in the left hand; the other, in the left arm.
The injuries aren’t life-threatening.
Connecticut Avenue was stopped for a short period of time between Devonshire Place and Cathedral Avenue.
WTOP’s Director of Traffic and Transit Operations Jim Battagliese was at the zoo and told WTOP he heard shots.
“Everybody kind of dove to the ground,” said Battagliese. “D.C. police immediately started pushing people back into the zoo … it was complete chaos here.”
The zoo grounds closed at 6 p.m. due to the police activity, and the pedestrian gates at Connecticut Avenue closed. Park Police and the Metropolitan Police Department are working together to investigate the possibility of additional victims.
Battagliese told WTOP helicopters were overhead in the area and police are looking for the shooter. Commander Michael Reese said a weapon hadn’t been recovered.
All Metro stations in the area remained open, but Metro said it would step up the police presence.
Police ask anyone with information to call 202-727-9099.
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Commander Michael Reese acknowledged that two people were shot outside the National Zoo on Easter Monday and that the shooter had not been found. (WTOP/Andrew Mollenbeck)
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