On Friday, May 18, 2001, at approximately 8:20 p.m., an off-duty Fifth District officer was driving his own car near the intersection of Sherman Avenue and Columbia Road, NW. He noticed three occupants of a car allegedly consuming alcohol and asked them to put the beer away. The men drove their car in front of the officer's car and forced him to stop. The men exited the car and started throwing beer cans at the officer who then exited his vehicle and identified himself as a police officer.

One of the men produced a metal object and started beating the officer with it. Another subject used a chair to hit the officer who sustained injuries to his wrist and elbow from the attacks. A crowd formed and encouraged the men to continue beating the officer. The officer, in fear of his life, was forced to draw his weapon and fire on his attackers. He fatally struck one subject in his chest and another round struck a second assailant in his neck. The second man is in stable condition at Howard University Hospital at the time of this release. The third subject escaped on foot and was later taken into custody in the 2000 block of Sherman Avenue, NW. Charges are pending against the subject. The fatally wounded subject's identity will be released pending notification of next of kin.

Anyone with the information about this shooting is asked to call the department's Force Investigation Team at 202-727-9901 and contact Sgt. Weldon.

The off-duty officer is being treated at an area hospital for his injuries. He is currently on routine administration leave with pay pending the outcome of this investigation.