A recent confrontation between police officers and a suspect led to an exchange of gunfire in Northeast D.C. Yesterday, officers from the Fifth District were dispatched to a residential building after receiving a report of an armed individual in the 300 block of Florida Avenue, Northeast. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Derrick Williams, fled from the officers but later returned, resulting in a struggle and subsequent shooting. The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that three officers were injured and have been hospitalized, with two already released and the third still receiving care for non-life-threatening injuries.
The altercation initiated in the early hours, approximately at 4:38 a.m., as officers attempted to detain the suspect. Despite the attempt to quietly resolve the situation, it turned violent when the suspect decided to quickly open fire at the officers, causing them to react in defense. A release by MPD detailed the efforts made by additional officers that arrived on the scene, who attempted life-saving measures on Williams after he was struck by return fire. However, Williams was pronounced dead after the attempts failed, and his weapon was retrieved at the scene.
The shooting has prompted a routine investigation by the MPD's Internal Affairs Bureau’s Force Investigation Team, as is standard with all officer-involved shootings in D.C. "The involved officers have been placed on administrative leave, pursuant to MPD policy," according to a statement from MPD. Additionally, the United States Attorney’s Office is expected to conduct an independent review of the evidence and the facts of the case.
MPD has made a call to the public for anyone holding information regarding the case to come forward. Tips can be conveyed at 202-727-9099 or anonymously via text to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by sending a message to 50411. The release of the body-worn camera footage is still pending, adhering to the District of Columbia law that governs the dissemination of such evidence.
