Police Have New Theory on Gunshots That Hit Luxury Building in Southwest

The shooter or shooters who sent at least five bullets flying through the windows of the Sky House apartment building last month are still on the loose — and police have a new theory on what happened.

Detectives from the First District believe at least one shooter fired toward the upscale residences at 1150 4th St. SW to create a diversion as police responded to a first set of shots just moments earlier by another gunman, Sgt. Michael Architzel said.

“The gunfire [at Sky House] came from the direction of Greenleaf public housing project,” Architzel said at a community meeting last night.

“We had gotten sounds of gunshots fired just before the incident at Sky House,” he continued. “We made an arrest and caught [the suspect] with a gun. We believe what happened are some of [that suspect’s] friends were trying to distract from that arrest and started firing.”

As Hill Now reported, the apartment tower just east of the Waterfront Metro station was hit by gunfire about 10:10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16. Residents of Sky House found bullets in their windows, walls and kitchen cabinets, causing thousands of dollars in damage, police said. One resident was watching the evening news in his living room when a bullet flew just feet in front of him. No injuries were reported.

Before the gunfire that hit Sky House, a first set of shots was reported by callers on the 1100 block of Delaware Avenue SW and the 1100 block of 4th Street SW. Police arrested a man for the first set of shots, who was found with a black semi-automatic handgun at his feet. He is a “former Greenleaf resident who is not allowed to be there anymore,” Architzel said Monday night.

Two people were questioned by police for the gunfire that hit Sky House, but they were released because officers had no probable cause to believe they were involved, police said. No shell casings to pinpoint a crime scene were found.

Following the gunfire incident, police assigned a tactical team to a zone near the Waterfront Metro station, and all officers have been asked to “provide special attention” to the area, Architzel said last month.

Apartments in Sky House — which has a rooftop pool and “dog-washing boutique” — start at $1,625 for a studio and hit $3,400 for a 2-bedroom, 2 bath, according to the website for the building.