WASHINGTON, D.C. – A D.C. police officer was shot Tuesday evening while attempting to recover a firearm from a storm drain. The incident occurred near Kenilworth and Eastern avenues in Northeast D.C., prompting a swift response from law enforcement and emergency services.
The officer, part of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Violent Crime Suppression Division, was flown to MedStar Washington Hospital Center for treatment. The officer’s current condition remains unknown, but he was struck in the upper body. The shooting has left the police community and the officer’s family in a state of anxiety and concern.
According to Assistant Chief Jeffrey Carroll, the incident began around 5:40 p.m. when officers observed a suspicious vehicle in the 4500 block of Coral Street. As they approached, an individual exited the vehicle and fled, eventually discarding a firearm into a storm drain on 295 southbound. The suspect, described as a Black male with long dreadlocks, wearing a white shirt and light blue shorts, managed to escape on the back of a motorcycle.
While officers were attempting to retrieve the discarded firearm from the storm drain, it accidentally discharged, injuring one of the officers. Immediate first aid was administered by fellow officers, and the injured officer was quickly transported by helicopter to the hospital.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has joined the investigation, reflecting the close collaboration between D.C. police and federal agencies. Authorities are now seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect, who remains at large.
The incident has sparked a significant police presence at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where colleagues and family members of the injured officer have gathered. The community is awaiting updates on the officer’s condition and the ongoing investigation.
The Metropolitan Police Department has urged anyone with information regarding the suspect to contact their real-time crime center at (202) 727-9099. The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be provided as they become available.