Two more teenagers were shot, one fatally, in Prince George's County just minutes after a news conference on gun violence was wrapping up Tuesday afternoon.
The deceased was a freshman at Suitland High, police said. He was the second student at that school student shot and killed in a two-day span, and the sixth Prince George’s County student killed this school year.
His name has not been publicly released.
"Words can't describe what I feel today," Suitland High School algebra teacher Cindy Jones told News4. "...I am trembling right now with grief. This has got to stop somewhere!"
Both teens shot Tuesday afternoon in Forestville were 18-year-old males. They were found in a parking lot at an apartment complex in the 3700 block of Donnell Drive shortly after 5:30 p.m.
They were taken to area hospitals, where one was pronounced dead and another is in grave condition.
“We are horrified to learn that tragedy struck another one of our students within a 24-hour time-span," a statement from Prince George's County Public Schools said Tuesday. "Our hearts are broken again and we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family. We cannot go another day without addressing these unspeakable acts of violence against our students. We are asking for the community’s support as our students, teachers and employees cope with these incidents.”
Monday afternoon, someone shot and killed 15-year-old Suitland freshman Charles Michael Walker Jr. in Hillcrest Heights. Police believe he was targeted for shoes he was carrying in a shopping bag.
"Far too many times this school year we have lost teenagers at the hand of a gun," County Executive Rushern Baker said in a statement Wednesday morning. "....It is time [to] channel our pain and anger towards addressing this situation."
The shootings are not connected, Prince George's County Police said. Authorities were canvassing the apartment complex, where residents told Stone they heard seven shots fired.
At a news conference shortly before Tuesday's double shooting, police said they are developing a strategy to prevent youth violence that includes partnerships in the community.
Chief Mark Magaw said police are close to closure in the previous five cases, including Walker's.
There will be increased security and counselors for students and staff at Suitland High for the remainder of the week.
The students died in "senseless murders, senseless," Jones said.
Anyone with information about the shooting should call police at 301-772-4925 or make anonymous tips to Crime Solvers by calling 866-411-TIPS/8477, texting "PGPD" and the tip to CRIMES/274637 or online here.
Stay with News4 and NBCWashington.com for updates as they become available.
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