A woman working as a security guard was shot and fatally wounded Tuesday night in Southeast Washington, the D.C. police said.

       She was on duty at a building complex when she was shot about 8:30 p.m. in the 3300 block of 10th Place SE, said D.C. Police Chief Robert J. Contee III.

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       Contee identified the woman as a “special police officer.” Special police officers are civilians and are not members of the police department. But they have arrest powers, may be armed and are licensed by the District. It is not clear whether the woman was carrying a gun when she was shot.

       The shooting occurred in an area that appeared to be largely residential. Special police officers are sometimes hired to provide security on private property.

       The woman was not immediately identified Tuesday night.