Panic spread across social media on Saturday evening after multiple reports falsely claimed an active shooter was on the premises of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. The D.C. Police Department has since confirmed that there was no active shooter and no shots fired at the zoo.
“There is NO active shooter or threat at the National Zoo. Officers are investigating a report of a fight between two adults,” the Metropolitan Police Department clarified in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Earlier, zoo visitors shared alarming messages online. One person claimed, “Currently at the Smithsonian National Zoo in DC where there is an active shooter on the premises… Currently herded into the visitor center.” Others reported hearing gunfire and seeing people running in fear. A witness added, “We just passed by the zoo — there were 11 police cars there!!!”
Despite these concerning accounts, authorities confirmed that the incident was a physical altercation between two adults, not a shooting. The situation was swiftly brought under control, and no injuries were reported at the zoo.
Meanwhile, an unrelated shooting occurred Friday night in Southeast D.C. Officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 1200 block of I Street around 10:40 p.m., where they found two men with gunshot wounds. Both victims were conscious and transported to local hospitals. Police are still investigating the Southeast D.C. shooting, and no arrests have been made as of yet.
Authorities have urged the public to rely on official channels for information and to avoid spreading unverified claims online.
Sources By Agencies
