Police: 2 people shot near National Zoo in D.C.

WASHINGTON — Two people were shot and injured near an entrance to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., police confirmed Monday.

One victim was injured in the arm, the other in the hand, police said. Both have non-life threatening injuries.

Police said around 5:17 p.m., a male was shot in the 3000 block of Connecticut Avenue, N.W., across the street from the zoo.

According to the Washington Post, there was no indication that the shooting involved the zoo or its visitors.

Police confirmed that the incident happened outside the zoo. The National Zoo closed after the incident.

Each year on Easter Monday, families are welcomed to the National Zoo for family-focused activities and Easter entertainment, according to the National Zoo's website.

There is a history of some violence at this family event at the zoo that the police say they are aware of.

"We were not expecting (a shooting) but we had a heavy police presence up here," said Commander Michael Reese of the Metropolitan Police Department. "This is a very festive event. Numerous times nothing happened up here, but it was very important for us to show a force, and that's what we did."

Three years ago on Easter Monday, a teen was stabbed multiple times.

Shots were fired about an hour after thousands were at the zoo to celebrate African American Family Day and Easter Monday.

Police say the large crowds were complicating the search for the suspects. A spokeswoman said about 16,000 people had visited the zoo as of 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Police, who are looking for two black males, said they do not know the motive for the shootings.

Contributing: The Associated Press