A Father’s Day gathering in Southeast Washington, D.C., ended in tragedy on the evening of Sunday, June 18, 2023, when gunfire erupted in the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE. Fifteen-year-old Demarcos Pinkney and his 17-year-old cousin Kevin Mason stepped outside a family residence and were struck; Demarcos was hit in the back and Kevin in the neck. Both were taken to a nearby hospital and died of their injuries about two hours apart.

Demarcos had just finished his freshman year at Digital Pioneers Academy, where he was remembered as a bright student and athlete who loved football and basketball. Family members described him as funny, energetic, loyal, and close to his relatives. Authorities have not said whether the cousins were specifically targeted or were hit by indiscriminate gunfire, and no arrests had been announced.

Anyone with information about what happened that night is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police Department.