Metropolitan Police Department agents are currently investigating an officer-involved shooting incident that took place on Georgia Avenue. According to the MPD's official statement, the incident occurred on Tuesday when a driver, later identified as 29-year-old Surafel Zerihun, collided with a police vehicle after driving into oncoming traffic.
The ensuing events escalated quickly after the crash, with Zerihun wielding a knife and attempting to seize the officer's gun, to which the officer responded with several loud commands for Zerihun to disarm. Following the officer's retreat to the cruiser's passenger seat and multiple failed attempts at de-escalation by the officer, Zerihun was shot as he ignored instructions and attempted to carjack another vehicle.
Despite immediate lifesaving efforts by the officer and subsequent actions by additional responding officers, Zerihun succumbed to his injuries after all attempts to save his life were unsuccessful. Recovered at the scene, Zerihun's weapon was included in the evidence. The involved officers, adhering to MPD protocol, have been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation's outcome.
The officer-involved shooting is under careful review by the Internal Affairs Bureau's Force Investigations Team, who scrutinize all such incidents within the District of Columbia. Once the facts and evidence have been gathered, the United States Attorney's Office will carry out an independent review of the case to ensure a comprehensive and unbiased evaluation. The MPD has issued a call for witnesses, urging anyone with information to come forward and aid the ongoing investigation.
The MPD further stated that the body-worn camera footage's release complies with the D.C. Official Code and that the name of the deceased, Surafel Zerihun, has been released to the public. For those with information, the MPD encourages contacting the police at 202-727-9099 or submitting tips anonymously through the department's TEXT TIP LINE by texting 50411.
