WASHINGTON, D.C. – The D.C. Metro Police Department is currently investigating an officer-involved shooting incident that occurred yesterday morning in the 1300 block of North Capitol Street in Northwest, D.C.
The events unfolded early in the morning, around 6:43 a.m., when officers were dispatched to the 2500 block of Benning Road, Northeast, in response to reports of a man experiencing a mental health crisis. Over a period of approximately two hours, the officers engaged with the man, employing de-escalation techniques to stabilize the situation. Following this intervention, DC Fire and EMS personnel began transporting the man to a local hospital for further treatment, with the officers accompanying the ambulance.
During the transport, the situation rapidly escalated. The man became aggressive, attacking a firefighter/paramedic in the ambulance and forcing her to escape. He then pursued her outside. The officers, who were trailing the ambulance, intervened to restrain the man. Despite the officer’s efforts to de-escalate the situation using OC (pepper) spray and verbal commands, the man fled into nearby traffic. He then positioned himself under a truck and re-emerged with a metal object in his hand.
Despite repeated commands from the officer to drop the metal object, the man advanced towards the officer, brandishing the object. In response to the imminent threat, the officer discharged his firearm, striking the man. The ambulance crew immediately administered life-saving measures, but unfortunately, these efforts were unsuccessful, and the man was pronounced dead. He has been identified as 41-year-old Clifford Brooks, a resident of Northeast, D.C.
The involved MPD officer is a 31-year veteran of the department, a trained Crisis Intervention Officer, and a member of the Emergency Response Team’s Auxiliary Negotiator Unit. Following department policy, the officer has been placed on administrative leave. The officer’s body-worn camera was activated during the incident, and the footage will be released in accordance with District of Columbia law.
The Force Investigation Team of MPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the sequence of events and ensure a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding this officer-involved shooting.