Washington, D.C.: At least four people were hurt in a gunshot on Friday night at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where the school was conducting its annual homecoming celebrations.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said that officers went to the 600 block of Howard Place, NW, around 8:23 p.m. to check out reports of gunfire. This place is close to the university’s main Yard and the School of Architecture building.
DC Police acknowledged the event on X (previously Twitter) by first posting, “Shooting investigation in the area of Georgia Avenue and Howard Place, NW,” and telling people to stay away from the area. Later, they sent out an update saying, “The scene is safe.”
Updates on the condition of multiple casualties
The police haven’t given the official number of casualties yet, but reports, including one from The Guardian, say that at least four people were shot. One of the victims was said to be in critical condition, and another was said to be in serious condition. The conditions of the other victims are still unknown. It wasn’t obvious right away if the victims were students, former students, or had any other direct ties to the university.
The event is especially shocking because it happened during Howard University’s 2025 Homecoming, which runs from October 19 to 26. A lot of students, alumni, and tourists came to campus and the surrounding neighborhoods on Friday for the Homecoming Kick Off and the Greek Step Show.
A lot of police action and road closures
After the incident, DC Police Traffic sent out a warning and closed a lot of roads to help with the investigation. These road closures had an effect on:
Georgia Ave NW, 2300–2500 Blocks
700–800 Blocks of Barry Pl NW
600 Block of Howard Pl NW
2300 Block of 6th St NW
Videos and images on social media showed a lot of police in the area, and one video seemed to show a person being arrested by officers. Someone who went to the school and posted the video wrote, “Unbelievable.” I was at a gathering for Howard University alumni when I got a school warning about an active shooter after shots were fired near campus. We pray that there are no deaths. “It’s crazy that this happened on such a nice day.”
The shooting’s timing also draws attention to crime in the nation’s capital, even though President Donald Trump has sent the National Guard to D.C. to help fight growing crime rates.