As outraged residents continue to demand answers regarding the 13-year-old fatally shot over the weekend by a Brookland man, D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee held an impassioned press conference Tuesday afternoon — offering few new details while condemning the spread of “misinformation” about the killing.

“Spreading of inaccurate information is dangerous, reckless, and has the potential to adversely impact the investigation, and the relationships in our community,” Contee said.

The 13-year-old, Karon Blake, died early Saturday morning after being fatally shot in the 1000 Block of Quincy Street Northeast, near Brookland Middle School, where he was a student. According to a police press release, a Brookland resident “heard noises and observed someone that appeared to be tampering with vehicles.” He emerged from his home with a registered firearm, and after an “interaction” with Karon, he fatally shot the teenager. The police report states Karon suffered multiple gun shot wounds.

In the days since Karon’s killing, community members and D.C. lawmakers have questioned why D.C. police have not identified the man or charged him with a crime. In a statement on Monday, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker asked for the community to join him in “calling on the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold accountable the individual who took Karon’s life.” He is holding a community meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday to hear residents’ concerns with representatives from the police department.

Ward 5 Mutual Aid also released a statement on Tuesday prior to Contee’s statements, expressing solidarity with Karon’s family and community members and demanding “the immediate release of the murderer’s name as well as swift action toward accountability.” In a press release on Monday, the abolitionist group Harriet’s Wildest Dreams stated that along with Ward 5 Mutual Aid, they had begun looking into the names and identities of all homeowners on the block where Karon was killed to identify the shooter. The statement added that if officials did not release the shooter’s name by the end of the day Tuesday, they would take “collective action to keep our community safe.”

During Tuesday’s press conference, Contee did not speak on the specifics of the investigation or release the man’s name, but instead focused his statement on condemning alleged rumors or misinformation that have circulated about the case.

“We recognize the community’s desire in getting the details of this incident but we must also acknowledge that the ongoing nature of the investigation prevents us from sharing specifics that could jeopardize the integrity of this case,” Contee said. 

While answering questions from reporters, Contee — joined by the newly appointed Deputy Mayor of Public Safety and Justice, Lindsey Appiah — shared that the man is not former law enforcement, currently has legal representation, and is cooperating with investigators. In a press conference on Wednesday morning, Mayor Muriel Bowser said the man is a D.C. government employee, and is currently on administrative leave, per city policy.

Contee also decried posts on social media which appear to be publicizing the photos of residents who live nearby, speculating they could be responsible for Karon’s death.

“People are making allegations centered around race, and that is wrong,” an agitated Contee said, adding that the man is Black. “Imagine if it was your picture beside his, if people showed up at your house with half-information? That’s unacceptable.”

Asked about changing Metropolitan Police Department policy in order to release names quickly after high-profile incidents, Contee said publishing a name “early on” in an investigation could “adversely impact the case.” (Per D.C. law, when a police officer fatally shoots someone, the department is required to release the name and body camera footage within five business days.)

“I don’t think anybody standing in front of me or watching this wants to do anything that could adversely impact this case, unfairly influence community members, because everybody wants to know the name,” Contee said. “We know some of what happened. We know that we have a 13-year-old who is dead. How about let’s focus on this young man’s family and making sure that they have the support and the services that they need from community members?”

D.C. police and detectives are working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. on the investigation, according to Contee. He added that additional video footage was shared with investigators on Tuesday from a citizen, which investigators are “combing through.” He asked anyone who knows anything about the case or has footage to share to get in contact with police.

The case may proceed to a grand jury comprised of D.C. residents, which would then make a determination about whether a crime was committed. In a statement on Tuesday afternoon before Contee’s briefing, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. said its investigation into Karon’s death was ongoing.

“As with any pending matter, it would be improper and imprudent to comment any further at this time,” the statement read.

Karon was a son and an older brother to three younger siblings. He was described by an employee at Brookland Middle School as “inquisitive, smart, and charismatic,” according to the Washington Post — and could always be found with a book under his arm. A GoFundMe has been set up to help Karon’s family with funeral accomodations.

This story has been updated to include that the man is a D.C. government employee.