Oct. 25, 2021 –
A Washington, D.C., who was kidnapped and in the back of a stolen SUV last week escaped by shooting the suspect and jumping out of the moving vehicle.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, officers were flagged down concerning a man with a gun who chasing another person Friday. When police caught up with the suspect, an officer felt a handgun concealed in the man’s waistband.
A struggle ensued, but the suspect was able to get away and drive off as officers tried to remove him from a stolen Jeep SUV, police said. The suspect then drove off with an officer still in the back, and the escape threw two other officers to the ground.
As the car sped off, the officer inside continued to order the suspect to stop, but he didn’t comply. Finally, the officer shot the man before leapt from the moving car onto the road while the suspect continued driving.
“The officer was in the rear seat of the vehicle, pleading with the person to please stop, please stop, please stop,” Chief Robert Contee said at a news conference, according to WUSA-TV. “The person did not stop the vehicle. At some point during that drive …, a shot was fired by our officer striking the individual. Our officer jumped from the vehicle as the vehicle was moving. The vehicle continued on.”
The suspect eventually went to a nearby hospital for treatment for a gunshot wound to the side. He was arrested and charged with felony assault on a police officer while armed, armed kidnapping, unlawful possession of a firearm and other counts.
Two officers were to area hospitals with injuries that weren’t considered life-threatening. A third officer suffered minor injuries but did not need emergency medical attention.
Police are still trying to locate the stolen, dark-colored Jeep SUV.