WASHINGTON - A D.C. Family is mourning the death of a teenage boy who was fatally shot Friday night in northwest's Columbia Heights neighborhood.

D.C. police say 17-year-old Paul Jones was shot and killed Friday night in the 1300 block of Columbia Road Northwest. It happened around 9:30 p.m. Police report the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Another victim has been transported to an area hospital.

The neighborhood along 14th Street is an area under development with its shiny new store fronts and bustling crowds, but along with revitalization has come a rise in crime.

"It is a wonderful neighborhood and I think it is like pretty revitalized," said Lizzy Berryman, District resident.

"I feel safe in this neighborhood; I've never felt unsafe in any way," said another resident.

But in recent weeks many in the neighborhood have heard too many sirens and seen too much crime tape.

Lauren Alvrechts was walking near 14th Street and Columbia Road Friday night when she heard gunshots.

"It was like somebody was obviously trying to kill somebody else. It was really, really scary," said Lauren Alvrechts, a witness.

That gunfire killed 17-year-old Paul Jones and wounded another teen. Alvrecht says her and a friend dove for cover, trying to flee a group of armed youths.

We hid underneath a car on 14th Street because we feared for our lives," said Siobhan Gavagan, a witness.

Fourteen-year-old Giovanni Sanchez was fatally stabbed to death and another teen shot to death in the same area. As a result, there is growing concern of gang activity in the area.

You got to keep educated people that know the gang life is not the way to go," said Carolyn Marshall, District resident.

Authorities say the spike in violence often stems from rival gang or crew disputes. The situation is at odds with a neighborhood trying to be a part of a revitalize D.C.

You would think with the new stuff they got around here people would be less criminal-minded. I guess some people never change," said George Whitlow, District resident.

Although most people say they feel safe in the neighborhood, police say they are adding patrols. In fact, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier (web | news | bio) says she is bringing back her "All Hands on Deck" initiative, which will put more cops on the streets during the weekends.

 Email To Friend