Off-Duty DC Officer Shoots Man With Gun Allegedly Stealing Crab Legs

The value of the crab legs was listed as $76.54

A man who was attempting to steal crab legs from a grocery store was shot by an off-duty D.C. Metropolitan Police Department officer working as security for the store after the man pointed a gun at the officer, according to a police report.

The officer, Theodore Dyson, said he was standing beyond the cash register and checkout area in the Giant store located at 300 H Street Northeast early Sunday morning. Dyson said he saw a man holding a large bag, which appeared to contain large items, and acting suspiciously.

The report said Dyson approached the man and found the bag contained two bags of crab legs, which had been taken from the store without payment. Dyson asked the man to follow him to the back of the store, but the man refused and drew what appeared to be a handgun, pointing it at the officer.

Dyson drew his service weapon and fired once, striking the man, according to the report. The man fell to the ground and was later transported to the Washington Hospital Center.

On Tuesday, police said the investigation revealed the weapon produced by the suspect was a replica.

According to the report, the suspect, identified Tuesday as 47-year-old Anhtuan Phu Pham, was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and shoplifting.

The value of the crab legs was listed as $76.54.

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