Body of 18-year-old shot to death found near ventilation shaft in southeast D.C.

WASHINGTON, DC — D.C. police have launched a homicide investigation after the body of an 18-year-old man was discovered Friday morning in southeast D.C.

Police responded to the 2600 block of Dunbar Road around 6:55 a.m. Nov. 8 after a caller reported finding human remains near a ventilation shaft. When officers arrived, they found the decomposing body of Alexander Pavion-Rios of NW DC.

DC Fire and EMS confirmed Pavion-Rios was dead. His body was taken to the Office of the Chief Forensic Medical Examiner, where scientists determined the cause of death to be gunshot wounds and ruled it a homicide.

D.C. Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them at 202-727-9099 or text an anonymous tip to 50411.

Investigators are investigating the circumstances of the teenager’s death.