A U.S. Park Police officer was shot while on duty in Washington, D.C. on Monday. The shooting occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. in Marshall Heights.
Law enforcement officials said the officer was ambushed by two gunmen and shot while driving an unmarked white Tesla while working on an undercover investigation. The officer was hit in the upper body but was able to drive several blocks away from the shooting.
“During the gunfire, the officer was struck and continued traveling up the road where first aid was rendered,” said U.S. Park Police Chief Scott Brecht at a press conference.
The officer was then transported by a medevac helicopter to a local hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to reports. There is some belief that the gunmen knew they were targeting an undercover police officer, however, that has not been fully confirmed, according to reports. The incident remains under investigation.
Metropolitan Police Chief Jeffery Carroll lamented the shooting as an example of “unnecessary gun violence in the city.”
“This is an example of unnecessary gun violence in our city. There’s no reason that anybody, a police officer or not a police officer, should be shot just for being out here driving through the neighborhood,” said Carroll. “We believe potentially they did know he was a police officer, but that’ll all be part of the ongoing investigation as relates to the actual shooting incident.”
The suspects remain at large and the motive for the shooting is unknown at this time. According to WTOP News, police described the shooters as two black men. One male was wearing blue jeans with a white hoodie and the second was wearing all black with a “white stripe down the sleeve and down the pant leg.”
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser posted about the shooting on social media late Monday night.
“Tonight, a member of the United States Park Police was shot in our community,” said Bowser. “The officer was taken by helicopter to a local hospital and treated for his injuries, which are thankfully non-life threatening.”
“I have been briefed by the Chief of Police — the incident is under investigation, and we will share more information as it becomes available,” said Bowser.
FBI Director Kash Patel also posted about the shooting on his X account. Patel urged prayers for the officer and said that the FBI will help bring the shooters “to justice.
“Praying for the Park Police officer shot in Washington, D.C.,” Patel said. “The FBI is actively supporting the investigation alongside our law enforcement partners and will bring those responsible to justice.”
“We will provide updates as we are able – please keep the officer and their family in your prayers,” he added.
