Damon Ward - Homicide Victim

On Sunday, February 26, 2006, at about 2:54 am, police were summoned to the front of 1208 U Street, NW to investigate the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located a male, identified as 33-year-old Damon Ward, suffering from gunshot wounds. Ward was transported to the Howard University Hospital and pronounced dead at 7:11 am. Mr. Ward was attending a private function in this area and was not involved at all in this dispute or with its participants. Mr. Ward was an innocent bystander who was struck by an errant bullet. The suspects (three to four) were operating a dark colored four-door pick up truck, and are believed to be of Ethiopian, Eritrean, or Somali descent. They were heard speaking Amharic, but one of them spoke fluently in English.