Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier is promising a full investigation into the officer-involved fatal shooting of 14-year-old Deonte Rawlings. Rawlings was shot in the head after allegedly exchanging gunfire with and off-duty officer in the 600 block of Atlantic Street, SE last night.
 
Shortly before 6:50 pm on Monday, September 17, 2007, the officer, a 22-year veteran assigned to the department’s Special Operations Division, was advised that a minibike was taken from the garage of his home during a burglary. The officer, while in a private vehicle and in the company of another off-duty officer, canvassed an area in Southeast, believing that the minibike may have been abandoned. At approximately 7:38 pm, Rawlings was allegedly observed on the stolen minibike. When the officers confronted the teen, Rawlings allegedly fired at the officers while they were still in their vehicle before running down the street. One of the officers returned fire and pursued Rawlings on foot, striking Rawlings in the head.
 
Rawlings, of the 3900 block of Cole Boulevard, SE, was taken to Children’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
 
The second officer involved reportedly did not fire his service weapon. He is 43 years old and a 19-year veteran with the department’s training academy. The names of both of the officers are being withheld because they are considered witnesses in this case. Both officers have been placed on routine administrative leave with pay pending the completion of a preliminary investigation by members of the Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility’s Force Investigation Team.
 
“My sympathies go out to the family. It is never easy to lose a loved one, especially a young person,” said Chief Lanier. “I have promised the family that my Department will conduct a thorough and detailed review of the officers’ actions. And as always, whenever there is a police-involved shooting, the United States Attorney’s Office will conduct an independent review.”