D.C. police have captured a suspect in multiple carjackings who allegedly shot at police officers in Southeast D.C. and barricaded himself inside a stranger's home, forcing the residents, including children, to flee, police say.
Tywan Cummings, 40, of Southeast D.C., was shot and has been taken to a hospital for treatment, D.C. police said Tuesday. He was then arrested on numerous charges, including assault, carjacking, burglary, kidnapping and cruelty to children.
Information was not immediately released on whether any officers or bystanders were injured.
Cummings was believed to be involved in multiple armed carjackings in Maryland counties Sunday and early Monday, police said.
Police were chasing Cummings about 2 a.m. when he crashed into a car and an MPD vehicle near Pennsylvania and Alabama avenues SE. The suspect got out of a car and exchanged gunfire with police, Jeffery Carroll, Metropolitan Police Department assistant chief of police.
Cummings was struck by officers' returning fire, police said Tuesday.
Cummings then ran to a home in the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, which was occupied. Police believe there were children inside. The residents were able to escape safely, and Cummings barricaded himself in the home, according to police.
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"He was just trying to get away from police," Carroll said.
SWAT officers eventually entered the home and brought Cummings out without gunfire, Carroll said. One gun was recovered in the home and another was found in the car the suspect had been driving, police say.
Cummings was expected to be charged in multiple districts, Carroll said. In D.C., he was charged with assault on a police officer, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, burglary, kidnapping, armed carjacking, first-degree cruelty to children and other crimes.
Pennsylvania Avenue SE was closed between Alabama and Southern avenues SE as multiple agencies coordinated, police say. Police later said the closure extends only from Fort Davis Place to Southern Avenue.
Police cars from D.C., Prince George's County, Montgomery County and Bowie were spotted at the scene by News4 crews.
Several officers were placed on administrative leave, per policy as police-involved shootings are reviewed. That includes D.C. and officers from each Maryland jurisdiction, according to D.C. police.
A group of investigators was clustered around a sedan, News4 video from the scene shows.
Overnight, D.C. police alone warned the public of five robberies or attempted robberies in all four quadrants of the city. It's unclear if the suspect in the barricade situation is connected to any of those crimes.
Police didn't provide details on the investigation until after the suspect was captured, saying it's an "active investigation."
The investigation is taking place less than a mile from the D.C.-Maryland line. Drivers can take Massachusetts Avenue and Naylor Road as alternates.
Stay with News4 for more on this developing story.
