Metropolitan Police Department's Force Investigations Team is currently probing an officer-involved shooting in Southeast DC that took place early Sunday morning, following a car crash where the driver seemed to be possessing a firearm, as mentioned on the department's official website. The incident unfolded in the 2500 block of Marion Barry Avenue SE when Seventh District officers, responding to a report of a vehicle collision with a commercial building at around 5:30 a.m., found the driver unresponsive and noticed a gun inside the car. Additional officers were called to the scene as a precautionary measure, as reported by the Metropolitan Police Department.
The situation escalated when the individual, initially motionless, began to move and was seen with a weapon in his hand, despite the officers giving verbal orders to drop it, he reached for one of the officers’ guns which led to two officers discharging their weapons, resulting in injury to the suspect who later died after all attempts of medical aid failed, as per the MPD.
Following standard procedure, the involved officers have been placed on administrative leave. Body-worn camera footage from the incident is expected to be made public as per District law, within the limitations specified under D.C. Official Code § 5–116.33 (c)(2) According to the MPD's statement, the Internal Affairs Division’s Force Investigations Team, which handles investigations of all officer-involved shootings in the District, is handling this case, with an independent review to be conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office, inspecting the evidence and facts.
The MPD has called for anyone with information about this incident to come forward, providing the general number 202-727-9099 and the option to send anonymous tips via the department's TEXT TIP LINE at 5041.
