UPDATE: According to MPD Commander George Kucik, a young child was shot and killed shortly after 9:30 p.m. tonight at an apartment on the 1400 block of Columbia Road NW. WUSA9 is reporting that the victim was a seven-year-old boy, but other outlets are reporting that the victim was a nine-year-old. WJLA/ABC7 is also reporting that the shooting occurred as family members were walking back from a party. The group was approached by a man with a gun, who, after a short chase, reportedly shot the child in the back. Detectives are currently investigating and anyone with information is asked to call 202-727-9099.

Did you forget it was an All Hands On Deck weekend? Those attempting to enjoy a quiet evening in Columbia Heights tonight were certainly reminded very quickly of that fact. Columbia Road NW between 13th and 14th Streets has been cordoned off by MPD as of 10 p.m., as double digits of police cruisers drove to the area, a building on the block was covered in crime tape, and, of course, the ubiquitous choppers began circling the area. Neighborhood sources are reporting that Chief Cathy Lanier is on-site, guiding a large group of police officers. Obviously, we’ll update with more information as we hear it, but those out and about tonight would probably be best served to avoid the area until the crime scene — however large it may be — has settled a bit.

It will be interesting to see what impact, if any, this police response will have in the larger war being waged between the police department and the Fraternal Order of Police over the legality of the All Hands On Deck program. If you’ll recall, the program was ruled to be in violation of the police union’s contract in September; however, the District is appealing that ruling, choosing to continue to operate the program while doing so. Lanier cites the proactive benefits of AHOD in defending it; of course, we’ll have to wait and see if tonight’s terrible incident solidifies or refutes that perception.