Washington, D.C. – Three police officers were injured in a shooting incident Wednesday morning while attempting to execute an arrest warrant for cruelty to animals. The suspect is currently barricaded in a home in the 5000 block of Hanna Place Southeast near Benning Road.
According to Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith, the suspect has continued to fire from the location, making it an active situation. Negotiations are ongoing with the shooter, who has only been communicating by phone since this morning.
The three officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to local hospitals, while a fourth officer was hospitalized with minor injuries not related to gunshot wounds. All four officers are expected to survive their injuries, with one officer’s vest having stopped the two rounds shot at him and the other two officers sustaining serious, but not life-threatening, gunshot wounds to their legs.
The shooting occurred after police arrived at the home around 7:30 a.m. to execute an arrest warrant for cruelty to animals. While there is no indication of anyone else at the residence, authorities have mentioned the possibility of dogs being inside. The area surrounding the location has been closed off, and several schools are on lockdown as a precaution.
As the situation continues to unfold, negotiators are working to establish communication with the suspect. This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as the situation progresses.