Washington, D.C. – A D.C. Police captain was shot and injured in a Northwest neighborhood on Monday afternoon, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The incident occurred near the area of 7th Street and Oneida Place NW, just a few blocks from the Fourth District police station.
During a press conference, D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith revealed that the officer was on his way to work in his personal vehicle when he encountered a car driving erratically. The vehicle abruptly stopped in front of the officer, and one suspect exited, firing shots at the officer. Despite being struck, the officer managed to note part of the license plate and contact the police department before driving himself to the Fourth District station.
Smith stated that the injured officer was promptly taken to the hospital and is currently recovering with his family. The captain, who has served for 18 years, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover. Smith emphasized the city’s zero-tolerance policy towards such violence during the press conference.
Following the shooting, two suspects were apprehended in Landover, Maryland, connected to the incident involving the D.C. officer. Witnesses reported seeing a car pursued by multiple police cars crash into another vehicle along Route 202. The suspects were later found to have thrown a gun out of the car window, which was quickly recovered by a police dog.
Both suspects, identified as 21-year-olds, sustained minor injuries from the crash and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Residents in the area expressed concern over the recent increase in violence, with one witness mentioning a desire to move to the suburbs for safety reasons. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining public safety.
Overall, the community and authorities are grateful for the officer’s survival and are working towards ensuring incidents like these are swiftly addressed to uphold the peace and security of the city.