Video showed two young males waiting outside Ahmad Mims’ apartment before the fatal shooting on Rosedale Street.
WASHINGTON — Police are searching for those responsible for fatally shooting a 13-year-old boy inside a Northeast Washington home before someone moved him outside and left him on a sidewalk, authorities and witnesses said.
Ahmad Mims of Northeast Washington was killed July 11 in the 1600 block of Rosedale Street NE, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Officers responding to a report of a person down at about 8:24 p.m. found Ahmad on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound. D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.
Detectives determined that the shooting occurred inside a home on the block, police said. No arrests had been announced as of Saturday, and investigators had not publicly identified a suspected shooter. The department was offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Doorbell-camera footage obtained by local news organizations showed two apparently young males standing in a hallway outside Ahmad’s apartment before his death. The video showed Ahmad opening the door, seeing the people outside and then closing it before looking through the camera.
Ahmad’s grandmother, Monica Mims, said someone knocked on the apartment door and asked him to come outside. Police have not publicly said whether the two people shown in the footage are suspects, witnesses or otherwise connected to the killing.
A witness told investigators that Ahmad was seen lying on the front stairwell of another building on Rosedale Street before a man dressed in black dragged him toward the sidewalk, according to a search warrant affidavit reported by NBC4 Washington. The witness described the man as having a muscular build.
Police found two firearms and 12 cartridge casings inside the home where investigators believe the shooting occurred, according to the affidavit. Authorities had not publicly said who owned the weapons, whether either gun fired the fatal shot or whether the firearms had been linked to a specific person.
Witnesses told detectives that Ahmad may have been targeted because he had allegedly struck the suspected shooter’s sister, the affidavit said. His grandmother also said he had been involved in a fight at school in the weeks before his death. Police have not confirmed a motive or established that the school dispute was connected to the shooting.
Ahmad was preparing to enter eighth grade at KIPP DC Northeast Academy. His grandmother remembered him as a sweet child who loved football, video games and playing outside. His family began raising money for funeral costs and to relocate after the killing.
Early police information indicated officers were looking for a young male last seen wearing black clothing and riding a bicycle near 16th and Rosedale streets. Authorities have not said whether that person remains the focus of the investigation.
The homicide investigation remained active Saturday. Police asked anyone with information to contact the department, but cautioned members of the public not to approach anyone they believe may be involved.