On Wednesday morning in Washington, three police officers were shot, and a fourth sustained minor injuries when an individual suspected of animal cruelty opened fire on them, according to authorities.
Fortunately, the officers are expected to recover from their wounds and are currently receiving treatment at local hospitals. The Metropolitan Police Department reported that the fourth officer was injured at the scene but was not shot.
The shooter is still barricaded inside a residence in the southeast part of the city, hours after the initial gunfire, as confirmed by a police spokeswoman.
The incident occurred when officers were attempting to execute an arrest based on an animal cruelty warrant. However, the suspect resisted leaving the residence, and upon officers’ attempts to enter, the individual opened fire.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith stated that the three injured officers sustained gunshot wounds to the hand and foot.
“This remains an active situation and the individual has continued to fire from that location,” she stated.
Crisis negotiators engaged with the suspect, Smith stated while urging lawmakers to pass legislation that would enhance penalties for gun offenses in the nation’s capital.
The police union verified that three of its members had been shot.
Roads were shut down, and schools in the southeast part of the city were placed on lockdown as the shooting unfolded. Police advised people to stay away from the area.
This incident occurs amid the District of Columbia grappling with a significant surge in violent crime, which saw a 39% increase in 2023. The rise was primarily driven by a 35% increase in homicides and a nearly doubled rate of carjackings.
