DC shooting leaves 3 dead, 2 injured: police

Three people are dead and two more are hospitalized after a shooting broke out in Washington, D.C., the Metropolitan Police Department said.

Officers responded to the sounds of gunshots around 8 p.m. Saturday in Southeast D.C., where they found five victims, three of whom were pronounced dead on the scene, D.C. Acting Police Chief Pamela Smith said.

"This is very disturbing," Smith said. She asked the community to provide any information they may have about the shooting.

Two men and one woman died on the scene, and two other men were transported to local hospitals. 

"We realize that there may be others who may have been injured tonight," Smith also said. "We’re asking you to come forward."

Police could not confirm a motivation for the shooting.

D.C. police have responded to 11 reported homicides since Aug. 1, according to local outlet WTOP.

The most recent D.C. police data from Aug. 4 shows that homicides are up 21% and violent crime is up 37% overall, in a year-to-date comparison with last year. 

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