Authorities at the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) have provided updates on a recent incident that involved a vehicular assault and subsequent officer-involved shooting, which both took place outside a nightclub in Northeast DC this past weekend. According to information shared by the MPD, officers were initially called to a report of threats at an establishment located in the 1800 block of New York Avenue at around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 18. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Christopher Cherry of no fixed address, allegedly attempted to enter the nightclub with a guest and got into a disagreement over the entrance fee.
An altercation ensued between the suspect and club security during which Cherry reportedly threatened to return to the location with a firearm. The MPD statement noted that after leaving the scene in a vehicle, Cherry later returned and acted in a manner that prompted officers to engage. They gave multiple loud commands for the suspect to exit the vehicle. Despite this, Cherry drove toward the entrance, then suddenly reversed and fled, eluding officers momentarily.
The incident escalated when Cherry once again returned to the vicinity of the 1800 block of New York Avenue. Officers engaged with the suspect, who this time drove his vehicle in the direction of the club’s entrance and pedestrians. According to the MPD, during these events, as the suspect drove in reverse towards an officer, another officer at the side of the vehicle discharged their service weapon multiple times. Cherry subsequently drove away at high speed before crashing in the 3400 block of New York Avenue.
The suspect was discovered conscious and breathing, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS promptly responded, transporting Cherry to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries. Following the detectives' investigation, Cherry has been charged with several offenses, including Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Vehicle), Threat to Kidnap or Injure a Person, Felony Assault on a Police Officer, Reckless Driving, and Leaving After Colliding. Meanwhile, the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, which is in accordance with MPD policy. The officer-involved shooting is currently under investigation by the Internal Affairs Bureau’s Force Investigations Team, and the United States Attorney’s Office is set to conduct an independent review of the case.
The MPD has called for anyone with further information on the case to come forward and contact police at 202-727-9099 or to text information to 50411. The events have led to heightened discussions regarding club security, police response tactics, and officer-involved shootings in the District of Columbia, emphasizing once more the delicate balance of safety and enforcement in nighttime establishments.
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