Police Charge Teen In Northwest D.C. Petworth Neighborhood Triple Shooting
Saturday, June 21, 2025, 12:00 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
WASHINGTON, DC.- On Thursday, following an investigation, an 18-year-old Northwest, D.C., man was taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with a targeted triple shooting homicide that occurred in the Petworth neighborhood of Northwest, D.C., in late April, killing one and seriously injuring two others.
According to D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, just short after 9:00 p.m., members of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Fourth District responded to the sounds of gunfire on the 800 block of Taylor Street and the 3700 Block of Georgia Avenue in Northwest, D.C.
Police Officers Find Man And Teen Shot On Georgia Avenue
Upon arrival, Police Officers located a man, later identified as Zephaniah Wright, 19, of Northeast, D.C., and a 15-year-old boy, both having sustained life-threatening gunshot wounds. Both victims were immediately transported by DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services to a nearby hospital, where, despite life-saving efforts, Mr. Wright tragically succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased a short time later. The 15-year-old boy underwent emergency surgery and continues to recover from serious gunshot injuries.
Police Are Notified That A Third Shooting Victim Arrived At The Hospital
While investigating on the scene, D.C Metropolitan Police Officers were notified that a third gunshot victim, an adult male, had driven himself to an area hospital seeking treatment for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. During the initial investigation and following interviewing the man, Detectives determined that the man was struck by gunfire on Taylor Street in Northwest, D.C., during the same shooting.
Detectives Identifies Hernandez As The Shooter
During the ensuing investigation, Detectives were able to identify Jose Hernandez, 18, of Northwest, D.C., as the suspect and the individual responsible for the shooting death of Mr. Wright and injuring the other victims, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
On Thursday, June 19, 2025, members of the District Crime Suppression Team located and arrested Hernandez, pursuant to the DC Superior Court arrest warrant. Hernandez was formally charged with first-degree Murder While Armed. He was processed on the charge and was remanded to the D.C. Central Detention Facility, pending future court proceedings in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”