A man from Washington, D.C. has been charged with attacking a Metro Transit Police officer after allegedly trying to skip out on his fare. Erik Schleehauf, 43, is facing charges of assault of a police officer while armed and assault with a deadly weapon, as announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. and Metro Transit Police Department Chief Michael Anzallo.
During a court appearance today, Schleehauf was ordered to be held without bond. The incident, which took place on Tuesday at the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro Station, involved Schleehauf allegedly standing on a fare machine and jumping over the glass gates, attempting to evade his fare. When approached by an MTPD Sergeant, the defendant reportedly pulled out a sharpened, pointed tool and stabbed the officer in the face. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the officer sustained puncture wounds, but the injuries were non-life-threatening.
Schleehauf was arrested at the scene of the incident. The injured sergeant was quickly taken to a local hospital for medical attention. The case against Schleehauf is proceeding, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for tomorrow, in front of Superior Court Judge Robert A. Salerno.
