Police say an officer opened fire after a suspect allegedly raised a rifle during a foot chase, while a second suspect remains at large.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — An armed carjacking in Northeast DC quickly escalated into a police pursuit, an officer-involved shooting and the arrest of a 13-year-old boy early Wednesday, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
Police said officers responded at about 1:20 a.m. Wednesday to the 700 block of 19th Street Northeast after receiving a report of an armed carjacking.
Investigators said two suspects approached a victim, and one allegedly pointed a rifle while demanding the keys to a gray 2026 Honda Civic. The victim surrendered the keys and was not injured.
A description of the suspects and the stolen vehicle was broadcast to officers across the city.
At about 1:54 a.m., Seventh District officers spotted the stolen Honda traveling on Valley Avenue in Southeast DC near 9th Street. When officers attempted a traffic stop, police said the vehicle fled.
The pursuit ended near the intersection of 2nd and Xenia streets Southeast, where both suspects abandoned the vehicle and ran into the wooded area along Oxon Run Trail.
According to MPD, at approximately 2:02 a.m., an officer driving a marked patrol vehicle along the 4000 block of Livingston Road Southeast encountered one of the suspects emerging from the tree line.
Police said the officer ordered the suspect to show his hands, but the suspect allegedly raised a rifle. The officer fired his service weapon while seated inside the patrol cruiser.
The suspect ran back into the wooded area and was not found despite an extensive search.
MPD said there were no known injuries or property damage resulting from the officer’s gunfire, and the officer was not injured.
About 10 minutes later, officers arrested a 13-year-old boy from Southeast DC near where the stolen vehicle had come to a stop.
The juvenile has been charged with:
- Armed carjacking
- Reckless driving
- Fleeing from a law enforcement officer
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave in accordance with department policy.
MPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau is investigating the officer-involved shooting, while the U.S. Attorney’s Office will conduct an independent review of the facts and evidence.
The armed carjacking investigation remains active. Police are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for a violent crime in the District.
Key Points
- A 13-year-old boy was arrested after an armed carjacking led to a police pursuit and officer-involved shooting in Southeast DC.
- Police say an officer fired after a suspect allegedly raised a rifle during a foot chase.
- A second suspect was not located, and the investigations into both the shooting and the carjacking remain ongoing.