On Wednesday morning, three Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department officers were wounded while participating in a raid at a residence. They were part of an officer team that was executing a warrant for a search at the residence about animal abuse and negligence charges.
🚨#BREAKING: Three MPD Officers Injured in Washington, D.C. Shooting
Three officers from the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., were injured in a shooting on Wednesday
The officers suffered gunshot wounds and have been taken from the area
Authorities have… pic.twitter.com/32LAF9exxt
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The three officers were “removed” from the scene after receiving ‘non-life-threatening’ injuries. Pamela Smith, the police chief stated that the officers had arrived at the Hanna Place 5000 block around 7:30 this morning to try and contact the suspect. As the officers approached the residence, the suspect fired on them from within, hitting three officers. A second officer suffered non-gunfire-related injuries.
Smith stated that the suspects barricaded themselves further inside the house, fired randomly at the officers around the residence, and remained there.
Smith stated, “We ask everyone to stay away from this area until we can apprehend the suspect.” We do not yet know if any other people are inside the home. We are in constant contact with the person.
As a precaution, three nearby elementary schools were put on lockdown after witnesses reported hearing multiple shots fired. One homeowner, who lives across the street, said that he heard gunfire. When he went out to investigate what was going on, he saw officers being shot.
“Once I came out, I saw all the cops running up Hanna Place, all of a sudden… two cops were shot,” the man said.
Washington D.C. residents are concerned about the safety of the city due to recent rash shootings and other crimes. Even though residents in Washington D.C. feel that the city is becoming less safe, the elected leadership of the city has traditionally downplayed the increase in crime or denied it. Phil Mendelson, the Chair of the D.C. Council testified in Congress to this effect nearly a year ago.
Mendelson stated that, although it is important to consider the feelings of people when it comes to crime, there is no crime crisis in D.C.
“Yes, crime is a major concern. While perception is important the reality is not as alarming. Let me be clear. People should feel secure and it’s a problem when many residents in the district do not,” D.C. Council chairman Phil Mendelson said to the House Committee on Oversight.
Mendelson stated, “I understand this is contrary to the popular belief — and how people feel about crime is important when it comes crime — but there is no crime crisis in Washington, D.C.”
Reluctance by the Council to accept reality costs people their livelihoods and lives. The District of Columbia is in a serious crisis after the shooting of three police officers this morning. A fourth officer was also injured.
