Chicago has a challenger this year

Via DC Crime Stories

Three men, including two brothers, were killed in separate shootings in the District overnight, pushing the number of homicides in the city to twice the amount compared to the same time last year.

The first shooting occurred around 8 p.m. Friday, outside the Antioch Baptist Church, in the 5000 block of Lee Street NE.

Police have identified the victims as 34-year-old Khalid Jamal Bryant and 26-year-old Jason Emmanuel Bryant. One of the brothers was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim was taken to the hospital where he died, police said.

According to NBC4, the shooting occurred while the church was holding a children’s service inside. The congregants were escorted out the back door so the children would not see the victims.

Later, early Saturday morning, a 51-year-old Billy Andre Harris was shot in the 4800 block of Ninth Street NW about 3 a.m. Saturday. Harris was taken to a hospital where he died.

So far this year there have been 24 homicides in the District, compared to 12 over the same period last year, according to the D.C. police. And the number of killings in 2013 rose to 104 compared to 88 in 2012.