Police arrest man who they believe shot 5 homeless people in NYC, D.C.

March 15 (UPI) -- Authorities said on Tuesday that they have arrested the man they believe stalked and shot several homeless people -- killing two -- as they slept in New York City and Washington, D.C., this month.

The Washington Metro Police Department said they arrested the man in the district after authorities in both cities released surveillance camera footage that clearly showed the gunman's face and asked for the public's help identifying him.

The gunman had shot at least five homeless people in Washington and New York City over the past two weeks. Two died and the other three were hospitalized with injuries.

"He is currently being interviewed at our Homicide Branch," D.C. police said in a tweet. "Additional information will be forthcoming. Thanks to the community for all your tips."

The suspect was not initially identified, but some outlets identified him in news reports on Tuesday. Police are expected to give an identification at a news conference later Tuesday.

Authorities have also not speculated about a motive for the crimes, which targeted the homeless. The victims in all five shootings were men.

NBC News reported that the suspect, who is said to be 30 years old and a resident of Washington, D.C., has a criminal history that includes previously assaulting a woman in Virginia. CNN reported that federal authorities knew the suspect's name on Monday afternoon.

"We promised that we'd bring this killer to justice. We kept that promise," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a tweet. "Thank you to all of our partners in law enforcement for their good work. Public safety is the prerequisite to prosperity. Keeping our streets safe means bringing our country back."

The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have been aiding Washington and New York City police in the search for the shooter.

At a joint news conference with Adams on Monday, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser called the attacks "unconscionable."

"We know that this experience has been especially scary for our residents experiencing homelessness," she said in a statement after the arrest on Tuesday. "Our work also continues to get guns off our streets, to address the proliferation of firearms, and to prevent violence while also working swiftly to hold people accountable when they terrorize and bring harm to our communities."

New York City police said the most recent shooting occurred last weekend and the victim died of his injuries. He was shot in the head and neck.

Investigators said that ballistics tests tied the same gun to all five crime scenes. Washington, D.C., is located about 200 miles southwest of New York City.

Exactly how police apprehended the suspect wasn't immediately clear, but officials had been offering a $70,000 reward for information leading to his capture.