14-year-old arrested, 2nd suspect wanted in deadly July Fourth shooting

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested after police said a man was shot and killed in Southeast D.C. on the Fourth of July. Another suspect is still wanted, police said later Thursday.

The teen was arrested Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder, D.C. police said. They didn’t name the teen, but said he was from Southeast D.C.

Police are still looking for a second suspect. Police Chief Peter Newsham said Thursday that the second suspect was connected to the Potomac Gardens area.

They released a photo of that suspect, captured on surveillance video.

D.C. police are searching for this suspect in connection to the deadly shooting of 36-year-old Antonio Gardiner. (Courtesy D.C. police)

The shooting victim was identified as Antonio Gardiner, 36, of Oxon Hill, Maryland.

Just before 11 p.m., police said officers responded to the 1500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast for the report of a shooting. They found Gardiner, who had been shot.

He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

During a briefing Thursday, Newsham said, “This violent attack on Mr. Gardiner was captured on the surveillance camera inside the McDonald’s, and this was critical in identifying two suspects.”

At a briefing earlier this week, Newsham said while Gardiner was at the McDonald’s in the area at the time, there were fireworks being set off. The man stepped outside to see what was happening, and then he was shot, the police chief said.

Anyone with information about this shooting can call police at (202) 727-9099, or text their tip anonymously to 50411.

Below is a map of where police said Gardiner was found shot:

Matthew Delaney

Matt Delaney is a digital web writer/editor who joined WTOP in 2020.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up