“14-Year-Old Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Construction Worker on Howard University Campus”

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested for the fatal shooting of a construction worker on Howard University’s campus in Washington, D.C. The victim, Rafael Adolfo Gomez, was shot during an armed robbery at a construction site near the campus hospital. This incident is one of three fatal shootings that have occurred on or near D.C. college campuses in July. Catholic University has also experienced two fatal shootings and an assault, prompting campus officials to request increased police patrols and safety seminars. shooting-teen-charged-in-construction-workers-death/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Amy Rock reported

Teen Arrested in Fatal shooting on Howard University Campus

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a construction worker on Howard University’s campus earlier this month. The Metropolitan Police Department has charged the teenager with felony murder while armed. The victim, identified as 34-year-old Rafael Adolfo Gomez, was shot at a construction site near the campus hospital where he was working on a steam plant revitalization project. The incident occurred on July 13 as Gomez was arriving for his shift around 6 a.m.

Police believe the shooting was the result of an armed robbery. A Howard University Department of Public Safety officer who was patrolling the area was the first to arrive at the scene and administered first aid to Gomez. Unfortunately, Gomez later died at the hospital. Before the suspect’s arrest, investigators were searching for a white Nissan SUV.

This incident marks the third shooting death near a Washington, D.C. campus in July. On July 5, 25-year-old Maxwell Emerson was fatally shot during an attempted robbery on the Catholic University campus. Less than two weeks later, on July 17, 44-year-old Robert Lavender was also fatally shot near Catholic University. Both shootings occurred less than a quarter of a mile away from each other.

Catholic University officials have alerted students and staff about the increase in violent crime near the campus and have requested emergency meetings with the police to address the concerns. The university is seeking more frequent police patrols and a safety seminar for freshman orientation. The Metropolitan Police Department is currently working to set up a meeting to address these concerns.

The recent shootings have caused alarm among the community, and Howard University President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick has expressed his commitment to addressing the underlying issues that contribute to such tragic incidents. Mental health resources are available on campus for students and staff affected by the violence.

Gomez’s family stated that he had moved to the area from El Salvador 10 years ago to support his wife and family back home. According to a police officer who serves as a liaison with Latino groups, Latino construction workers have become targets for robbery due to carrying cash and fear of entanglement in immigration issues.

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