A Democratic National Committee staffer was fatally shot early Sunday morning in his Washington, D.C. neighborhood, according to city police officials.

Authorities have identified the victim as 27-year-old Seth Rich, the DNC’s director of voter expansion.

Police said they heard gunshots about 4:20 a.m., then found Rich shot several times but still conscious and breathing. He was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead.

“Our hearts are broken,” said DNC Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “Seth Rich was a dedicated, selfless public servant who worked tirelessly to protect the most sacred right we share as Americans -- the right to vote.”

The shooting occurred in the 2100 block of Flagler Street NW, about three blocks from Howard University Hospital. Residents commenting on news accounts of the shooting report a recent spike in armed robberies near the crime scene.

Rich’s Linkedin page shows he graduated in 2011 from Creighton University in Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Police said Monday they have no suspects or possible motives in connection with the shooting.

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