Washington, D.C. – A D.C. police officer sustained injuries after being shot at while driving his SUV just blocks away from the Fourth District police station in Northwest Washington on Monday afternoon, authorities reported.
The injured officer, identified as a Fourth District police captain with 18 years of experience, was on his way to work in his personal black SUV when he encountered a vehicle driving erratically in front of him. The driver abruptly stopped in the 5800 block of Seventh Street NW, and a man exited the car, firing shots at the officer’s vehicle.
Despite sustaining gunshot wounds, the officer managed to drive a short distance to the police station at 6001 Georgia Ave. NW. Colleagues then transported him to MedStar Washington Hospital Center for treatment. Fortunately, his injuries were deemed non-life-threatening, police confirmed.
Following the incident, two individuals were apprehended after a vehicle believed to be connected to the shooting overturned in Landover, Maryland. Chief of Police Pamela Smith assured that the perpetrator responsible for the shooting would face consequences, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards such acts of violence within the city.
The injured officer, currently with his family, underwent medical evaluation at the hospital. Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities initiated a response, sharing partial license plate information from the fleeing vehicle with surrounding police departments through D.C.’s Real-Time Crime Center.
In 2023, the Fraternal Order of Police reported the highest number of police officers – 378 in total – being shot in the line of duty. The recent incident highlighting the risks faced by law enforcement personnel underscored the critical nature of their job, particularly in maintaining public safety and upholding the law. More updates on this evolving story are expected as investigations continue.