Police are investigating the homicide of a 26-year-old man who was shot after police say he brandished a handgun and sexually assaulted a woman.Watch reportThe name of the man has not been released pending notification of family members. It happened around 9:25 p.m., Thursday, in the 3800 block of North Rampart Street.Police said the 26-year-old man approached a man and woman as they were walking. They said he then produced a gun and demanded that they walk to a building that was being renovated. Once they entered the yard, investigators say, the man sexually assaulted the woman at which time the adult male disarmed the man and fatally shot him."We were sitting in our living room and heard two loud pops," said Jim Leonard.Leonard lives across the street from the old Frederick Douglass High School currently under construction, where authorities said the incident occurred."Within minutes of hearing the gunshots cops were everywhere," Leonard said."I would have probably done the same thing," said Tony Napolitano.Bywater resident Napalitano called the actions of the shooter "appropriate" considering the circumstances."It's a shame a life was lost, but if it was me, I probably would have acted in the same way," Napolitano said.Detectives recovered the handgun from the scene and are in the process of determining where the weapon came from.The man and woman were interviewed and released. No charges are expected.

Police are investigating the homicide of a 26-year-old man who was shot after police say he brandished a handgun and sexually assaulted a woman.

Watch report


The name of the man has not been released pending notification of family members. It happened around 9:25 p.m., Thursday, in the 3800 block of North Rampart Street.

Police said the 26-year-old man approached a man and woman as they were walking. They said he then produced a gun and demanded that they walk to a building that was being renovated. Once they entered the yard, investigators say, the man sexually assaulted the woman at which time the adult male disarmed the man and fatally shot him.

"We were sitting in our living room and heard two loud pops," said Jim Leonard.

Leonard lives across the street from the old Frederick Douglass High School currently under construction, where authorities said the incident occurred.

"Within minutes of hearing the gunshots cops were everywhere," Leonard said.

"I would have probably done the same thing," said Tony Napolitano.

Bywater resident Napalitano called the actions of the shooter "appropriate" considering the circumstances.

"It's a shame a life was lost, but if it was me, I probably would have acted in the same way," Napolitano said.

Detectives recovered the handgun from the scene and are in the process of determining where the weapon came from.

The man and woman were interviewed and released. No charges are expected.