This just in. Reports are coming in of overheard gunshots at DC Pride, but the police state that there was, in fact, no active shooter.
Information is lacking at the moment, but mayhem ensued earlier today after gunshots were allegedly heard in the Dupont Circle area during the Central Pride parade in Washington, D.C.
Local news reporter Tom Roussey says that around four loud pops went off before the crowd panicked. Twitter users share that the mayhem led to people getting trampled. Several injuries have been reported because of this mass panic.
That said, there have been no reported injuries or fatalities due to gunfire.
my heart is breaking. and some people still want a “straight pride”????? for what??????? you don’t have to live in FEAR like this. hoping and praying that everyone in DC is safe. #dcpride pic.twitter.com/NRFYwKv0iA
— brie 🌈🌙✨ (@bettykissitbttr) June 8, 2019
Multiple officers are telling me no one was shot, one officer tells me a man had a gun. I heard three or four very, very loud pops that sent everyone running. Some people were hurt while folks were running away from the noise. #CapitalPride #DupontCircle
— Tom Roussey (@tomroussey7news) June 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/StenkBozeman/status/1137510000266502145?s=20
stay away from the area my friends and I were in the area almost got trampled running
— saul singleton (@saulsingleton) June 8, 2019
BREAKING: Reports of shots fired and injuries at DC gay Pride Parade. Mass panic as crowd disperses quickly. Heavy police presence responding. This as the 3rd anniversary of the Pulse shooting approaches next week. @cnnbrk @msnbc pic.twitter.com/ZNfyRXhjjE
— Pride Fund (@Pride_Fund) June 8, 2019
Capital Pride, the organization that runs DC Pride, says it is in close contact with the police.
Unfortunately, the Pride parade has been canceled and all pride goers are asked to clear the area. Though, Capital Pride stated that the Block Party will run as scheduled.
Please stay calm and get to safety
— Capital Pride (@CapitalPrideDC) June 8, 2019
There was a reported incident in Dupont Circle during the Capital Pride Parade. The police are assessing the situation and will make a determination of how best to proceed.
— Capital Pride (@CapitalPrideDC) June 8, 2019
The parade has ended. The Block Party on 15th And P St. is still happening as well as City Winery. The police asks that everyone on Dupont Circle evacuates. Be safe. The police is on site and the threat has been contained.
— Capital Pride (@CapitalPrideDC) June 9, 2019
Again, there is speculation over the events. D.C. Deputy Mayor for Public Safety has confirmed that there was no active shooter. That said, there is still no official word on what caused the loud pops that started the intiial panic.
According to News4, the police have found a gun within a backpack in Dupont Circle, but they report that the weapon was never “brandished” or used as a threat. D.C. police have also confirmed that they are one man has been arrested for possession of the handgun.
In addition, an unidentified woman has been arrested for assaulting a police officer. Though, there is currently no evidence that both arrests are connected.
I have been briefed by @DCPoliceDept Chief Newsham about the incident at #CapitalPride. @dcfireems is on the scene to treat minor injuries / due to reports of a shooting. There were no shots fired, and there is no active threat.@DCPoliceDept will provide further updates. https://t.co/ngLLbHVzKV
— Muriel Bowser (@MurielBowser) June 9, 2019
.@CapitalPrideDC #PrideDc #DCPride – There is NO Active Shooter at Dupont Circle. There are injuries from people running from what they thought were gunshots. But there is NO ACTIVE SHOOTER at Dupont Circle. @DCPoliceDept @DC_HSEMA
— Deputy Mayor Lindsey Appiah (@SafeDC) June 9, 2019
Police just confirmed to me no one has been shot. They also said they don’t believe shots were fired, although I can tell you I personally heard about three or four very loud pops that sounded like shots. Unclear what exactly they were at this point.
— Tom Roussey (@tomroussey7news) June 9, 2019
We will keep you updated as more information comes in.
