DC shooting leaves national guardsman injured while attempting to break street fight
Police describe the incident
Interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll spoke at the scene early Monday. He said a group of seven or eight Guardsmen in a van had been watching people on a sidewalk when a fight began at about 11.10pm.
The report’s headline characterizes the Guardsman as attempting to break up the street fight. Carroll’s account says the troops were monitoring the group and then urged the person with a weapon to put it down.
Troops return fire
The person did not comply with the Guardsmen’s appeal, Carroll said. Three troops then fired back near the entrance to an alleyway. One Guardsman was struck in the leg, while the suspect was hit in the abdomen. Both were taken to hospital, according to the article’s opening account.
Investigation continues
The Metropolitan Police Department said it is investigating the shooting involving a National Guard member in Washington, D.C. Its Internal Affairs and Criminal Investigations divisions were at the scene, Carroll said.
Carroll said there was no continuing threat to the public. The available account does not give further details about the people involved in the sidewalk fight.
Key points
- Police said the shooting followed a sidewalk fight at about 11.10pm.
- Three Guardsmen fired after a person refused to drop a weapon, Carroll said.
- A Guardsman was shot in the leg and the suspect was wounded in the abdomen.
- Police investigative divisions were at the scene, and officials reported no further public threat.