A fatal shooting on Benning Road claimed the life of 26-year-old Jamal Blakes on March 24, 2026. Around 10:10 p.m. officers from the Fifth District responded to the 2000 block of Benning Road NE after reports of gunfire and found an adult male with a gunshot wound. Blakes, who was described as having no fixed address, was treated by D.C. Fire and EMS and transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The Metropolitan Police Department opened a homicide investigation. As of early April 2026 no arrests had been announced and no suspects were publicly identified. Authorities have offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Few additional details about the circumstances are available.

If anyone has information about what happened that night, please contact the Metropolitan Police Department.