Police said the suspected gunman fled with a 3-year-old before dying in Maryland.
WASHINGTON — A 34-year-old mother of three was shot to death outside her Northwest Washington apartment, and her 10-year-old daughter was wounded, police said, in an attack that triggered an Amber Alert and ended hours later when the suspected gunman was found dead after a crash in Maryland.
Police identified the woman as Rayven Amuan Edwards. They said the suspected shooter was her former partner, 35-year-old Stephon Marquis Jeter, the father of her youngest child. Investigators said Jeter fled with the couple’s 3-year-old son, prompting an Amber Alert and a wide search that moved from the District into Maryland and drew in multiple law enforcement agencies.
Police said the shooting happened Wednesday afternoon in the Glover Park area, a neighborhood of apartment buildings and tree-lined streets in Northwest Washington. Investigators said a dispute began inside Edwards’ apartment building, moved into a hallway and then outside, where she was shot. Her 10-year-old daughter, Royal, was struck in the arm and taken for treatment, police said. The child’s injuries were described as not life-threatening.
In interviews with local media, Edwards’ relatives described a scene that unfolded in seconds in front of her children. Edwards’ mother said her daughter was killed while her children were nearby, and the family said they believe the attack was carried out by the father of Edwards’ youngest child. Neighbors told reporters they heard screaming in the moments after the shots and then saw police flood the area as adults tried to comfort children.
Authorities said Jeter left the scene in a black pickup truck and drove toward Maryland with the 3-year-old. The District issued an Amber Alert with the child’s description and the vehicle information, urging the public to watch for the truck. Police later located the vehicle in Maryland and attempted to stop it, setting off a pursuit that ended in a crash, officials said.
After the crash, officers found Jeter dead from what police described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. The 3-year-old was not inside the vehicle, and for a period of time investigators did not know where the boy was. Police later announced the child had been found safe at a relative’s home, and the Amber Alert was canceled.
D.C. Police Chief Jeffery Carroll described the case as a domestic dispute that escalated into deadly violence. Police have not publicly described a clear motive and said the investigation was continuing. Investigators were working to confirm the timeline of the suspect’s movements after he left the District and to document where the child was taken before being located.
The shooting shook residents in Glover Park, where violent crime is less common than in some other parts of the city. Neighbors described seeing patrol cars and investigators surrounding the apartment building and nearby streets as detectives interviewed witnesses. Some residents said they recognized Edwards as a parent in the building and were stunned that the attack occurred in daylight, outside the entrance area.
Family members said Edwards was devoted to raising her children and had managed serious health issues while trying to build a stable life. Relatives told reporters she had battled lupus and undergone dialysis. They said she was close to her siblings and often talked about dreams she had earlier in life, including interests in the arts. Her brother, Raymond Edwards, told reporters that she had ambitions but faced heavy challenges as an adult.
Court records reviewed by news organizations showed a history of turmoil in Edwards’ relationship with Jeter, including filings for protective orders. Some petitions were later dismissed, and relatives said her health problems made it difficult for her to keep up with court dates. Advocates for domestic violence survivors say those kinds of disruptions can leave families vulnerable, especially when disputes involve custody and contact between former partners.
Police said the shooting remains under investigation, including ballistics work and a review of any past calls for service connected to the parties. Detectives were also examining the hours between the shooting and the crash in Maryland, including the child’s location and who may have helped care for him. Authorities said they expected additional updates as reports are completed and investigators finish interviewing witnesses.
On Thursday, family members gathered to grieve and to focus on the children’s recovery. Relatives said the wounded girl was being treated and that the 3-year-old was safe with family. Friends and neighbors began discussing support for the children, while police worked to notify the community about the case’s status.
Edwards’ family described her as protective of her children and said the loss leaves a hole that will be felt for years. “She was our best friend,” her brother said in an interview posted online, describing a close bond with his sister and the role she played in family life.
Authorities said the investigation will remain open even though the suspect is dead, and detectives will continue collecting evidence and finalizing reports. Police said they plan to provide additional information as it becomes available.
Author note: Last updated February 13, 2026.