A U.S. Park Police officer was seriously wounded in an ambush-style shooting in Washington, D.C., on Monday evening. The officer, who was working on an ongoing investigation, was shot while driving an unmarked white Tesla in the Marshall Heights neighborhood. Two gunmen opened fire, striking the officer in the upper body. Despite the injuries, the officer managed to drive several blocks before receiving first aid and being airlifted to a local hospital. The officer is in serious but stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
Park Police Chief Scott Brecht confirmed the incident was an ambush but declined to provide specifics about the investigation. Metropolitan Police Chief Jeffery Carroll described the shooting as an example of "unnecessary gun violence" and suggested the suspects may have known the officer was law enforcement. The suspects remain at large, and their motive is unknown. Descriptions of the suspects include two Black men, one wearing blue jeans and a white hoodie, and the other in all black with white stripes.
Federal authorities, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Marshals, are assisting in the investigation. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel have expressed support for the officer and pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser also condemned the shooting, calling it a tragic incident in the community.
The shooting occurred around 7:30 p.m. near the 5000 block of Queens Stroll Place SE, prompting a heavy law enforcement response and road closures in the area.