Angel Ernesto Dominquez Washington, D.C. Shooting: 17-Year-Old Fatally Shot in Broad Daylight on Florida Avenue NW, Police Seek Answers Amid Youth Violence Crisis
In what has become a heart-wrenching reflection of America’s escalating youth violence crisis, 17-year-old Angel Ernesto Dominquez was tragically killed on Thursday, May 29, 2025, in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s Northwest quadrant. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the fatal shooting occurred around 3:07 p.m. on the 900 block of Florida Avenue NW—a busy corridor lined with local businesses, residences, and daily foot traffic. The shooting has ignited a renewed sense of urgency across the city, as law enforcement officers, community leaders, and residents mourn yet another young life lost to gun violence.
Angel Ernesto Dominquez, a teenager described by peers and neighbors as quiet, thoughtful, and full of potential, became another name added to the growing list of youth homicide victims in the District. His sudden and violent death has deeply shaken the local community and sparked important, difficult conversations about safety, opportunity, and justice for D.C.’s youth.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Third District were dispatched following multiple reports of gunfire. On arrival, they found Angel lying unconscious on the sidewalk, bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds. He was not breathing. First responders from D.C. Fire and EMS arrived rapidly and transported him to a nearby hospital, where emergency room staff worked tirelessly to save his life. Tragically, their efforts were unsuccessful—Angel was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
This devastating loss is now the subject of a full-scale homicide investigation, with detectives working around the clock to uncover the circumstances that led to the teen’s murder. At this time, police have not released information about potential suspects or motives. Investigators are actively seeking leads and encourage members of the public to step forward. As part of an ongoing city-wide initiative to solve homicide cases, the department is offering up to $25,000 for any tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Angel’s death.
Scene of the Crime: Florida Avenue, Northwest D.C.
The 900 block of Florida Avenue NW sits at the crossroads of neighborhoods rich in history and complexity. The area is a patchwork of gentrified storefronts, old row houses, restaurants, and schools—an intersection of long-time residents, new developers, and a growing youth population. It’s a corridor many residents know intimately: a place where children walk home from school, friends gather outside corner shops, and neighbors exchange greetings from stoops and storefronts.
But on this Thursday afternoon, the familiar rhythm of the street was disrupted by the crack of gunfire. The shooting took place in broad daylight—a brazen act of violence that sent bystanders running and left a young man bleeding out on the pavement.
“That could’ve been my son,” said Michelle Carter, a nearby resident who arrived minutes after hearing the shots. “I heard maybe five, six bangs in a row. Then silence. And then the sirens.”
Authorities blocked off the area for hours following the incident, placing crime scene tape across nearby sidewalks as detectives combed the area for shell casings, surveillance cameras, and eyewitnesses. By nightfall, the once-busy block had become a solemn scene—a gathering point for grieving family members, curious onlookers, and local media.
Who Was Angel Ernesto Dominquez?
Angel Ernesto Dominquez, a 17-year-old resident of Northwest D.C., was nearing the end of his junior year in high school. Though his name was not widely known before this tragic incident, those who did know him speak of a young man with dreams and burdens in equal measure.
“He was quiet, but not shy,” said Jamal Rivers, a classmate at a local public charter school. “He had this way of observing everything, like he was always thinking something deeper than he said out loud.”
Teachers remember Angel as respectful, intelligent, and sometimes reserved. He was interested in graphic design and had recently started experimenting with creating digital art on his laptop. In a city that offers few safe spaces for young people to explore their talents, Angel found moments of calm in creative expression. His counselor, Ms. Tasha Monroe, described him as “a quiet leader” who never sought attention but often offered support to others.
“He was the type of kid who made you hopeful,” Monroe said. “He wasn’t perfect, but he was trying. And that’s all you can ask for from any young person in a city like this.”
The Investigation: Searching for a Killer
As of the time of reporting, the Metropolitan Police Department has not identified a suspect or made any arrests. Investigators are examining nearby surveillance cameras, collecting physical evidence, and interviewing potential witnesses. Several neighbors and pedestrians reported hearing gunfire but could not provide a clear description of the shooter.
Investigators have not determined whether Angel was the intended target or caught in the crossfire of a larger dispute. With no weapon recovered from the scene and no immediate witnesses able to confirm the shooter’s identity, detectives are relying on forensic evidence and community cooperation to move the case forward.
The $25,000 reward is not just a number—it’s an urgent appeal for help. D.C. Police Chief Pamela A. Smith stressed the importance of public involvement in a press briefing the following day: “We cannot do this alone. Somebody knows something. A family is grieving. A mother has lost her child. If you saw or heard anything, no matter how small it seems, we need you to come forward.”
The reward is offered through the department’s anonymous tip line, which allows residents to share information confidentially. Historically, these tip lines have played a critical role in solving homicides across the city. Still, fear of retaliation and mistrust of law enforcement often deter witnesses from coming forward—especially in neighborhoods that have historically felt underserved and over-policed.
Youth Gun Violence in Washington, D.C.: A Growing Emergency
Angel’s death is not an isolated incident. Rather, it’s part of a deeply disturbing trend in Washington, D.C., and across the United States. In recent years, juvenile homicide rates have surged, driven in large part by firearms. According to a 2024 report from the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, gun-related homicides among youth under 18 increased by 27% from the previous year.
The reasons for this spike are complex—entwined with poverty, systemic inequality, lack of mental health support, access to firearms, and the breakdown of community trust. In Washington, D.C., where gentrification and displacement have exacerbated community tensions, the problem is particularly acute.
Angel Ernesto Dominquez is now one of dozens of teenagers in D.C. whose lives have been cut short by gun violence in recent years. He is one of many—too many—whose deaths were preceded by warning signs: overworked schools, underfunded youth programs, and a city caught between development and disenfranchisement.
What We Know About the Shooting
While the facts of the case remain sparse, there are several known elements of the shooting that have shaped the investigation so far:
- The incident occurred at approximately 3:07 p.m. on May 29, 2025.
- The location was the 900 block of Florida Avenue NW, near residential buildings and businesses.
- Multiple gunshots were reported by witnesses.
- Angel Ernesto Dominquez was the only person shot.
- He was transported to a hospital by EMS and pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
- No suspects have been named.
- A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Detectives are now working to determine whether this shooting is connected to any ongoing conflicts in the area. Police are known to track group-related violence in the District and often rely on intelligence analysts to map disputes that may escalate into deadly encounters.
The Broader Community Impact
The ripple effects of Angel’s death are already being felt across the city. Local advocacy groups, including the D.C. Peace Coalition and Stop Killing Our Kids (SKOK), have issued statements condemning the violence and calling for comprehensive action.
“Every time we lose a child, it’s a policy failure,” said Kendra Davis, founder of SKOK. “We keep holding vigils. We keep marching. But until this city starts investing in real opportunities for our youth—in housing, in education, in healing—we’re going to keep burying our children.”
At Angel’s school, grief counselors have been deployed to assist students and staff coping with the loss. Principal Dwayne Carter described the mood as “numb.” “You could feel it when you walked through the hallways this morning,” he said. “Like something sacred had been broken.”
Faith-based organizations have also stepped in, offering prayer services and community support. Reverend Eric Mason of the First Community Church near Florida Avenue stated: “We’re not just mourning a death—we’re mourning the loss of hope. We need justice. But we also need healing.”
Calls for Reform and Action
Angel’s death has galvanized renewed calls for reform at the city level. On Friday morning, D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George held a press conference outside the site of the shooting. “This is not just about crime,” she said. “It’s about prevention. If we don’t build systems that lift our youth up, we are sentencing them to a cycle of violence.”
Her remarks included proposals to expand:
- Violence Interruption Programs: Expanding community-based models that employ local residents to mediate conflicts before they escalate.
- Youth Employment Initiatives: Funding summer and year-round programs that offer teens paid work, mentorship, and life skills.
- School-Based Mental Health Services: Increasing access to trauma-informed care in D.C. public schools.
- Gun Control Enforcement: Strengthening accountability for illegal firearm sales and possession.
While these ideas have merit, their implementation faces obstacles—funding, political will, and the time required to see change. In the meantime, advocates argue, short-term strategies like community engagement and increased police visibility are necessary to protect lives.
A City in Mourning, a Family Shattered
At the center of all the noise—beyond the policy debates, public statements, and police reports—is a grieving family. Angel’s mother, whose name has not been released, is now faced with the unimaginable pain of planning her son’s funeral instead of his graduation. Friends have begun raising funds for funeral expenses and emotional support services.
“It’s a pain I wouldn’t wish on anyone,” said one family member through tears. “He was a good kid. He was trying to do right. And now he’s gone.”
Moving Forward: The Fight for Justice
The murder of Angel Ernesto Dominquez has lit a flame of urgency in Washington, D.C.—a flame that must be sustained if real change is to come. As police continue to search for leads, the message from officials, activists, and residents is clear: This must not become another cold case. This must not be another forgotten name on a growing list of teenage victims.
Community leaders are calling for sustained attention—not just until an arrest is made, but until the systems that fail youth like Angel are overhauled. His life mattered. His dreams mattered. And now, his memory must become a call to action.
The Metropolitan Police Department asks anyone with information about the shooting to call (202) 727-9099 or text the department’s anonymous tip line at 50411. A reward of up to $25,000 remains available for tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Angel Ernesto Dominquez should have seen his 18th birthday. He should have had a future. That future was stolen—but justice does not have to be.
