Washington DC standoff ends with arrest of gunman who shot three officers
The incident began after Washington, DC police arrived at the home to serve a warrant for animal cruelty
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A standoff which lasted over 12 hours between Washington DC officers and a suspect has now come to an end, after police negotiated his surrender, according to the DC Police Department.
Three officers of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, were injured after a suspect began firing and barricaded himself in his home. A fourth officer also sustained injuries that were not gunshot-related.
The multi-hour standoff began when police arrived at a southeast Washington, DC home around 7.30 am local time to serve a warrant for animal cruelty. It was at that time the shooting began.
The police said that the suspect then barricaded himself inside his residence and continued shooting sporadically throughout the standoff.
But his surrender was “successfully negotiated” and he has been charged with cruelty to animals, with additional charges for the assault on the officers pending.
Police said that the suspect – Julius James, 46 – is now in police custody.
Mr James was arrested and charged with Cruelty to Animals and additional charges for the assault on the officers are pending.
When asked to expand on the animal cruelty charges, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith focused instead on the officers wounded when serving the warrant.
“So let me not be glib about my response to your question specifically related to the animals,” Ms Smith said. “I don’t want it to be lost on anyone today that we’ve had three officers who were shot with the Metropolitan Police Department. Three of our officers were shot today, serving an arrest warrant on someone who was cruel to animals.”
“The same type of response that we provide for our officers, we have that same care for animals as well, but I don’t want it to be lost on anyone today that the reason why we are here right now is because three of our officers have been shot,” she continued.
Washington DC police negotiate surrender of suspect
Julius James, 46, is in police custody after the officers negotiated his surrender, ending a multi-hour standoff during which three officers were injured.
Washington DC police said the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Emergency Response Team successfully negotiated the surrender of a gunman who shot three officers on Wednesday night.
It began after the MPD Criminal Apprehension Unit responded to the 5000 block of Hanna Place, Southeast, to serve an arrest warrant for animal cruelty.
“After several hours of negotiation, the suspect surrendered,” police said.
Mr James was arrested and charged with Cruelty to Animals and additional charges for the assault on the officers are pending.
Three police officers shot as gunman remains barricaded in Washington DC home
Three police officers in Washington, DC were shot as they were serving an arrest warrant for cruelty to animals, authorities said.
The suspect, who has not yet been named, is barricaded in a house in the 5000 block of Hanna Place Southeast near Benning Road, police said at a press conference on 14 February.
Around 7.30
am, the individual “refused to come outside” and as officers “attempted to gain entry, the individual fired upon them,” police said.
The Independent’s Kelly Rissman has the story:
Three police officers shot as gunman remains barricaded in Washington DC home
Police said around 7.30am, the individual ‘refused to come outside’ and as officers ;attempted to gain entry, the individual fired upon them’
Fourth officer sustains minor injury, not shot
A fourth officer sustained injuries on scene during the shootout, but was not shot and has been transported to the hospital with only minor injuries, officials said on X.
DC Mayor says wounded officers will likely survive
Muriel Bowser told reporters that the three officers wounded by gunfire on Wednesday morning will likely be “just fine.”
“But it goes to show you how important it is to support our police, to make sure we’re hiring the best of the best police, to make sure as a community if we see something wrong, we call MPD, because MPD is going to show up for us every single time,” Ms Bowser said.
Humane Rescue Alliance gives support to officers
The Humane Rescue Alliance conveyed their support for Washington, DC police, who arrived at the home to serve a warrant for animal cruelty. “Our thoughts are with our partners at MPD who are being treated in the hospital and we are wishing them all the best in their recovery,” the group said in a statement. “We could not fulfill our mission without them. We are also concerned for the safety of the officers who remain on scene, the community members who continue to be affected, and the animals whom we were there to protect.”
Nearby schools on lockdown as shooting continues
Two nearby elementary schools are on lockdown amid the shooting in Southeast Washington, DC, NBC Washington reports.
Eyewitnesses also say that police were escorting students into a nearby charter school, KIPP DC LEAP Academy, per the outlet.
Incident ongoing for more than five hours: officials
Officers first arrived at the Washington, DC home to serve an animal cruelty warrant around 7.30 am local time, officials say. The suspect is still barricaded inside the home as of 12.30 pm local time, as officers pass five hours since the incident began.
As the end of the school day approaches, it is yet unclear how authorities will handle student dismissal in the area.
Negotiators are on the scene
Negotiators are at the scene of the active shooting to speak with the suspect, who has barricaded himself inside a Southeast Washington, DC home, DC News Now reports.
Police are approaching six hours since the initial incident began around 7.30 am local time, when officials arrived at the home to serve an animal cruelty warrant.
Today’s shooting in context
The incident comes as the District of Columbia is struggling with a sharp increase in violent crime, which went up 39% in 2023. It was largely fueled by a 35% rise in homicides and growth in carjackings, which nearly doubled.
Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith has previously pushed lawmakers to pass legislation that would strengthen penalties for gun offences in the nation’s capital.
Read more from Kelly Rissman and Mike Bedigan:
Three police officers shot as gunman remains barricaded in Washington DC home
Police say violence broke out after suspect ‘refused to come outside’ as officers attempted to serve arrest warrant for cruelty to animals
Parents worry for their children at nearby schools
Two parents told NBC Washington about their concerns for their children as the shooting unfolds near two elementary schools.
“This is a magnitude of police cars I’ve never seen in my life,” one mother told the outlet.
“I’m outraged because my son goes right here to this school. I was coming to take him to school and wasn’t able to get through and I’m just like … I’m shocked. I’m really shocked,” another mother told NBC Washington.
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