4 killed in Washington DC Shooting

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WASHINGTON - A drive-by shooting killed four people and wounded at least five others in the nation's capital, officials said.

A gunman sprayed bullets "into a crowd" Tuesday night, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said.

Three people were arrested and a weapon was later recovered, police said.

Six men and three women were shot around 7:30 p.m. in South Capitol Street in the southeastern part of the city, D.C. Police Department spokesman Officer Hugh Carew said.

Fire Department spokesman Pete Piringer said all of the victims were in their 20s and 30s, except for one teenager.

The Washington Post reported that police pursued a van from the scene, aided by a helicopter.

Authorities said four D.C. officers were slightly injured while chasing a suspect's vehicle into neighboring Prince George's County in Maryland.

One victim died at the scene, one was dead on arrival at the hospital, and the third died in the operating room, said Carolyn Hammond, spokeswoman for Washington Hospital Center. The fourth person died later in hospital.

The neighborhood is near a water treatment plant and Bolling Air Force Base. Sections of southeastern D.C. have problems with crime, though surprised neighbors told local media that the area was not a bad place to live and wasn't dangerous.

Washington reported 143 homicides last year, the fewest in nearly 50 years.

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