Report the incident to local police when ready
If you witness a shooting or are injured in one, call 911 right away. Give the dispatcher your location, a description of what happened, and any details about the person or vehicle involved. Stay on the line until they tell you to hang up. Do not leave the scene unless police tell you to go or you are in when ready danger.
In Washington, DC, contact the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). In Maryland, call your county's police department — Prince George's County Police, Montgomery County Police, or your local jurisdiction. In Virginia, contact your county or city police department. Each agency will take a report and assign a case number, which you will need for insurance claims, victim services, or legal proceedings.
If you are injured, emergency responders will transport you to the nearest hospital. Tell medical staff you were injured in a shooting so they document it correctly and can notify police if you are unable to do so yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Call 911 when ready if you witness a shooting or are shot; provide your location and a description of what happened.
- Each jurisdiction — DC, Maryland counties, and Virginia counties — has its own police department that will take your report and assign a case number.
- Victim services programs in DC, Maryland, and Virginia offer counseling, emergency financial help, and legal support at no cost to people injured in violent crime.
- You can file a police report even if you did not see the shooter clearly; witness information helps police investigate and may prevent future incidents.
- If you are a minor or cannot speak to police alone, you have the right to have a trusted adult or lawyer present during questioning.
Find victim services in your jurisdiction
After you report the shooting, ask the responding officer or detective about victim services. Each jurisdiction funds programs that help people injured in violent crime. These programs typically offer crisis counseling, emergency financial help to cover medical bills or lost wages, and information about legal rights.
In Washington, DC, contact the DC Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG) at 202-727-3934 or visit their website. They can connect you with counseling, emergency funds, and help filing for Crime Victims' Compensation. In Maryland, the Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center (1-800-689-4911) directs you to services in your county. In Virginia, contact the Virginia Crime Victims and Witnesses Fund through your local police department or the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services.
You do not need to pay for these services. Funding comes from state and federal sources set aside for people harmed by crime. Services are available whether or not you report to police, though reporting usually makes you may be able to access for more types of help.
Understand your rights during police questioning
Police may ask you to give a statement about what you saw or experienced. You have the right to refuse to answer questions without a lawyer present. You also have the right to have a trusted adult, family member, or attorney in the room while you speak to police. If you are under 18, you have the right to have a parent or guardian present.
Tell the officer clearly if you want a lawyer before answering questions. Do not sign anything without reading it first or without a lawyer reviewing it. If police pressure you to sign a statement you do not understand or do not agree with, say no. You can always give a statement later with legal help.
If you witnessed the shooting but did not see the shooter clearly, your information is still valuable. Tell police what you did see — the time, the location, sounds, other people nearby, or the direction shots came from. Witness statements, even incomplete ones, help police build a case and protect the community.
Document your injuries and losses
Keep records of everything related to the shooting: medical bills, hospital discharge papers, prescriptions, therapy receipts, lost wages from time off work, and any property damage. Take photos of injuries if safe to do so. Write down dates, times, and what happened, while details are fresh. These records are needed for victim compensation claims, insurance, and any legal case.
If you need to miss work because of injuries or trauma, ask your employer for documentation of the time off and lost pay. If you cannot work because of physical or mental health effects from the shooting, victim services can help you understand options like temporary disability or workers' compensation if the shooting happened at work.
Keep the police report number and the name and badge number of the officer who took your report. You will need these to follow up on the investigation, file for compensation, or work with a lawyer.
Understand the criminal investigation process
After police take your report, detectives investigate. This can take weeks or months. Police will contact you if they need more information or want you to identify someone. You can call the detective assigned to your case to ask for updates, though they may not be able to share all details while the case is active.
If police arrest someone, the case goes to the prosecutor's office. In DC, that is the Office of the Attorney General. In Maryland, it is the State's Attorney's Office in your county. In Virginia, it is the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office in your county. The prosecutor decides whether to charge the person and what charges to file.
If the case goes to trial, you may be asked to testify about what you saw. Victim services can prepare you for court and help you understand the process. You can ask the prosecutor's office about victim notification — a system that tells you when court dates are scheduled and what happens in the case.
Access mental health support
Being shot at or witnessing a shooting can cause trauma, anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress. These reactions are normal. Victim services programs include free counseling and mental health referrals. You do not have to wait for a court case to start therapy — help is available when ready.
In DC, the DC Department of Behavioral Health (202-673-7700) can connect you with counselors. In Maryland, your county health department has mental health crisis lines and referrals. In Virginia, contact your local community services board. Many programs offer evening and weekend appointments and can provide interpreters if you do not speak English.
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) or go to the nearest emergency room. This service is free and available 24 hours a day.
Know your options if you cannot work
If injuries from the shooting prevent you from working, you may be able to receive emergency financial help through victim services. In DC, Crime Victims' Compensation can cover lost wages up to a limit set by law. In Maryland and Virginia, similar programs exist through each state's crime victims' fund.
You can also explore whether you may have access to for temporary disability benefits through your state. In DC, contact the DC Department of Employment Services. In Maryland, contact the Maryland Department of Labor. In Virginia, contact the Virginia Employment Commission. These programs have different rules and waiting periods, so ask about all options.
If the shooting happened at your workplace, you may be able to file a workers' compensation claim. Contact your employer's human resources department or your state's workers' compensation board for information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to talk to police if I witnessed the shooting?
You have the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present before answering questions. However, giving a statement helps police investigate and may prevent future harm. If you choose to speak to police, you can ask for a lawyer or trusted adult to be present, and you can stop answering questions at any time.
Can I get money to cover medical bills and lost wages?
Yes. Crime Victims' Compensation programs in DC, Maryland, and Virginia cover medical expenses, mental health counseling, lost wages, and other costs related to the shooting. You do not have to pay anything to explore. Ask the police officer or victim services about how to file a claim in your jurisdiction.
What if I do not know who shot me or what happened?
You can still report to police and receive victim services. Tell police what you do know — where you were, what you heard, what you saw. Even partial information helps. You can also file for victim compensation without knowing who the shooter is; the program is based on harm you suffered, not on whether someone is arrested.
How long does a police investigation take?
Investigations vary widely depending on the circumstances, available evidence, and witness information. Some cases are solved in weeks; others take months or longer. You can call the detective assigned to your case to ask for updates, though they may not share all details while the investigation is active.
Can I get a copy of the police report?
Yes. In DC, request it from the MPD Records Management Division. In Maryland, contact your county police department's records section. In Virginia, contact your local police department. There may be a small fee, and some information may be redacted if the case is still under investigation. Ask the officer who took your report how to request it.