Taniya Jones was 16 when she was fatally shot inside a residence in the 4400 block of 3rd Street Southeast in Washington, D.C., on the evening of Sunday, June 19, 2022. Authorities responded to a report of a shooting around 6:00 p.m.; they found her unconscious and unresponsive with an apparent gunshot wound and emergency medical services pronounced her deceased at the scene.

Initial accounts left the circumstances unclear, and later information indicated the shooting may have been accidental while a group of young people were handling a firearm. A 17-year-old juvenile male from Oxon Hill, Maryland, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed. Family and community members held a candlelight vigil and marched to honor Taniya’s memory and call for action against gun violence.

If anyone knew Taniya, was at the residence that evening, or has information about what happened, please share what can help the investigation.