DC mayor, Nationals issue joint statement against gun violence

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Washington Nationals condemned the “senseless acts of gun violence” that took place just outside Saturday night’s game in a joint statement issued on Sunday. 

Three people were wounded on Saturday in a shooting just outside Nationals Park, where the Nationals were playing the San Diego Padres. It created a scary scene, with fans rushing from their seats, uncertain about where the shots were coming from.

“We stand together against senseless acts of gun violence in the city we love. Gun violence — no matter where it occurs in our city — is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the statement said.

The statement said an investigation by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department was ongoing and that the incident appeared to be related to a dispute between people in two vehicles. Police believe the shooting was completely unrelated to the game. 

Around 10 p.m. on Saturday night, D.C. police said in a post on Twitter that they were responding to a shooting in the 1500 block of South Capitol Street, SW.  

Following the shooting, the game was suspended in the bottom of the sixth inning and was rescheduled for Sunday afternoon.

“We appreciate the tremendous cooperation of the fans at Saturday night’s game who did all that was asked of them under very stressful circumstances, and the police and the fire emergency medical personnel who responded,” the statement said.