Thirteen children killed in D.C.

This is not original reporting. All information has been compiled from the Washington Post articles "There Really Is No Explaining This" and "The District's Young Victims" on May 5.

The total amount of youth homicides in the District so far this year have surpassed last year's total after the fatal shooting of 8-year-old Chelsea Cromartie in Northeast Washington on May 3. Thirteen children have suffered fatalities, even as crime and homicide rates have continued to decrease, according to the Washington Post.

A bullet fired through the window of her aunt's home hit Cromartie in the head, placing her among at least seven other youths killed by gunshot wounds this year. According to the Washington Post, Cromartie's aunt, Darlene Taper, was also hit in the shoulder during the shooting. Cromartie was pronounced dead at Children's Hospital.

Of the random acts of violence in the District, Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey said, "There is a culture of violence and attitude that exists among many people that leads to [the] violence we've been witnessing…There really is no explaining this."

The youths killed in the District range from 10 months to 17 years. Most of the victims were killed by gunshot wounds, according to the Washington Post.

Earlier this year, 10-month-old Jeniya Myles and 1-year Selena McDonald both died from beatings and 10-month-old Symphony Jenkins was poisoned with methadone.

Jahkema Hansen, 14, was murdered on Jan. 23, five days after she witnessed another killing in the area, according to the Washington Post. Hansen, known to many people as Princess, was shot several times after explaining that she wished to be paid for silence, according to authorities.

To read more about the victims, click here.