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.
SEE IT: Doorbell camera captures gunshots in Washington, DC
WATCH: Press conference with DC police chief as standoff continues
Negotiations with suspect ongoing as standoff hits seven-hour mark
A negotiator is on scene to speak with the shooter who wounded three Washington, DC police officers and has since barricaded himself inside a home, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said around 2 pm local time.
“Sometimes he’s up, sometimes he’s down, but we’re still in communication with the subject,” Ms Smith said.
Nearby charter school releases students early
Nearby KIPP DC LEAP Academy, a public charter school, released students early at 2 pm local time, according to Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith.
Meanwhile, two nearby elementary schools were also on lockdown this morning as the shooting unfolded in Southeast Washington, DC.
White House comments on DC standoff
“This shooting is yet another distressing and painful reminder of the toll gun violence is inflicting on families, on our communities and, obviously, on our nation,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday afternoon. Ms Jean-Pierre also said Joe Biden was praying for the officers to make full recoveries and called for more congressional action on guns.
WATCH: ‘Why is this happening?’ DC resident responds to Southeast shooting
Eight-hour standoff continues
Police are now going on hour eight of the standoff with a Washington, DC man who has barricaded himself inside a Southeast home.
In their last update to the media, officials said a negotiator is on the scene speaking with the suspect. The three wounded officers were also reported to be in “good spirits” after they were transported to a local hospital.
ICYMI: Three police officers shot as gunman remains barricaded in Washington DC home
Three police officers in Washington, DC, were shot as they attempted to serve an arrest warrant for cruelty to animals, authorities said.
The suspect, who has not yet been named, was barricaded in a house in the 5000 block of Hanna Place Southeast near Benning Road, police said at a press conference on Wednesday. Multiple loud gunshots could be heard, captured on neighbours’ home security systems.
Authorities say that around 7.30am the individual “refused to come outside” and as officers “attempted to gain entry, the individual fired upon them.” As of 4 pm local time the incident is ongoing.
Read more from The Independent’s Kelly Rissman and Mike Bedigan:
ICYMI: 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. The stand-off has now reached hour nine.
“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.”
DC shooting coincides with Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade tragedy
While police engaged in a multi-hour standoff in Washington, DC, at least one person was killed and several were injured by a shooter at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade on Wednesday afternoon.
Three of the wounded were in critical condition as of Wednesday afternoon, according to local news reports.
Two suspects have reportedly been detained in connection with the shooting.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said she was “angry” about the shooting, and offered her sympathies to those affected.
“This tragedy occurred even in the presence of uniformed law enforcement officers who again ran towards them and took them into custody. To the people who were injured in this tragedy,” she said. “Our hearts go out to you and your families.”
Keep up with The Independent’s live coverage of the tragedy here:
Kansas City parade shooting live: One killed and 14 injured at Chiefs victory rally
Kansas City police have taken two suspects into custody
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