The Metropolitan Police Department is probing an officer-involved shooting following a vehicular crash in Southeast D.C. that led to the fatal shooting of a 26-year-old man. The incident, which has sparked an Internal Affairs investigation, transpired on the 2500 block of Marion Barry Avenue Southeast, early Sunday morning.
On September 1, 2024 around 5:30 a.m., Seventh District officers arrived at the site in response to a crash report. Officers discovered a vehicle that had collided with the side of a commercial building, causing minor damage. Within the vehicle, they found the driver, Justin Robinson, unresponsive, and noticed a firearm nearby. After summoning backup, the situation escalated when Robinson regained consciousness and allegedly grabbed one of the officer’s service weapons, according to details provided by the Metropolitan Police Department's press release.
Allegedly, verbal commands were issued to Robinson to relinquish the weapon. However, the confrontation reached a deadly juncture as two officers ultimately fired their service weapons, striking Robinson. Despite immediate medical intervention from D.C. Fire and EMS, who were already present, Robinson's injuries proved fatal.
The identity of the 26-year-old, Justin Robinson, of Southeast D.C., was released by the MPD. The officers involved in the incident have since been placed on administrative leave following MPD policy. MPD has assured that body-worn camera footage will be released in line with the District of Columbia's statutory requirements. The Force Investigations Team of MPD's Internal Affairs Bureau is handling the ongoing investigation, while the United States Attorney’s Office is set to conduct an independent review of the case's facts and evidence.
Authorities have called upon anyone with information about this case to contact the police at 202-727-9099, or submit details anonymously via the department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. This tragedy joins the catalog of officer-involved shootings that continue to challenge communities and law enforcement on the use of lethal force and public safety protocols.
