Several guns and ammunition were found along the C&O canal near Fletcher's Boathouse in Northwest D.C. (WTOP/Michelle Basch) WASHINGTON — The discovery of a violin case containing two guns led police to uncover a cache of even more guns and ammunition along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal near the Boathouse at Fletcher’s Cove in Northwest D.C.
U.S. Park Police and D.C. police Wednesday afternoon investigated the two areas where the weapons were found. Traffic on Canal Road near the boathouse had been stopped during the investigation but the road has reopened.
A woman walking along the canal late Wednesday morning saw some debris surrounding a violin case along the stone wall that lines the road, according to park police. When she opened the case, she found two guns inside, and she brought it to authorities near Fletcher’s boathouse.
About a quarter-mile north of that location, investigators found a second site with multiple weapons and ammunition surrounded by trash and other debris.
Park Police spokeswoman Sgt. Anna Rose said there were a variety of weapons recovered, including long guns and pistols. The weapons were in buckets and bags, Rose said, although she said she didn’t believe any of them were loaded.
“There’s no indication as to why these weapons were here, when they came to be here or the circumstances surrounding it — that part’s all under investigation,” Rose said.
Rose said there was no imminent threat to people walking nearby. But authorities decided to close the road out of an abundance of caution and to keep the area clear as investigators worked. Authorities reopened the road to traffic around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The D.C. police bomb squad also conducted a sweep of the area.
Police praised the woman who spotted the weapons.
“This woman saw something and she chose to come forward and say something, giving us the opportunity to make sure this area remains safe for everyone,” Rose said. “And as we approach the inauguration, I think that’s really important to highlight.”
WTOP’s Michelle Basch contributed to this report.