WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) reported its 100th homicide of the year Tuesday night. The DC Police Union said it’s the earliest that the District has hit that number in any year since 2003.

The union released a statement Wednesday, saying that over the course of the past 10 years, the average date that D.C. reached the 100th homicide marker is October 25.

“It’s not safe to walk the streets,” said Marshall Proctor, who lives behind the Shell gas station where someone was killed Tuesday night.

Although the number reached 100 Tuesday night, a check of MPD’s website Wednesday noted 102 homicides for 2023.

According to the site, homicides in D.C. have increased by 19% this year when you compare information from 2022.

Richard Hendrix, 32, of Northeast, is the most recent victim. D.C. Police reported someone shot Hendrix around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday along 3rd Street, SE.

Police reported another shooting along 49th Street NE a few hours earlier that claimed the life of an unidentified 63-year-old man. No other details were released.

Both happened after someone shot and killed Joshua White, 29, at the Shell gas station on the corner of Southern Avenue and Capitol Street SE early Tuesday night. His death marked the 100th homicide in the city.

“My daughters, and my kin folks, they could be hit anywhere. it’s not safe man,” Proctor said.

“This increase in crime is due to the DC Council’s implementation of misguided ‘police reform’
legislation,” said Gregg Pemberton, chairman of the DC Police Union. “The Council’s actions have had a chilling effect on professional and responsible policing and caused over 1,200 police officers to leave the agency.”

Council President Phil Mendelson’s Office disagreed. It sent an email a reply to the union’s claims — and just as Mendelson testified before Congress in March, the statement said that there is no “crime crisis” in the city.

Mendelson pointed out then the number of violent crimes last year was 7% less than in 2021, and 45% fewer compared to 2012 statistics.

“Every homicide is a tragedy in this city,” said Interim Police Chief Ashan Benedict Wednesday.

Benedict used Tuesday’s patrols of his officers as an example of how officers are making a difference.

“We had zero Part One crimes, those are violent crimes reported to MPD. Then we had that one homicide at the Shell Station. One,” Benedict said. “That one detracts from an otherwise a good, productive day for the Metropolitan Police Department, and the people who live in this city.”

Additionally, MPD’s website showed an increase in crimes including sex abuse, robbery, motor vehicle theft, and arson.