Washington DC

Woman Shot, Killed During Special Police Training at Anacostia Library

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A woman died after she was shot during a training session for special police officers inside a Washington, D.C., library on Thursday, police said.

The victim's name was not immediately released.

First responders were were called to the Anacostia Neighborhood Library at 1800 Good Hope Road SE shortly before 3:45 p.m. after a report of a shooting.

The special officer who was shot was "unconscious and not breathing" when first responders arrived, police said. She was shot in a downstairs meeting room during a special police training session, the D.C. Public Library system confirmed.

A retired D.C. police lieutenant was conducting a training on how to use an extended baton, Chief Robert Contee said.

Sources familiar with the investigation told News4 that when the trainer drew a pistol to illustrate how quickly it could be done, he fired one shot, striking the special police officer in the chest.

Homicide detectives were called to the scene to investigate. They were looking into why the trainer had live ammunition.

“I don’t have answers as to why the live firearm was in asp baton training,” Contee said. “I don’t have those answers for you right now.”

Patrons were cleared from the building. No one else was hurt, and there was no threat to anyone in the library, Contee said.

The library was closed as of late Thursday afternoon.

Special police officers are certified by D.C. and contracted to guard properties. They can carry guns while on duty, the Metropolitan Police Department says

Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.

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