Peter Newsham

Police: Off-Duty DC Officer Shoots, Kills Man in Northeast

An off-duty police officer shot and killed a 24-year-old man in Northeast D.C. Wednesday night, police say.

Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham told reporters the off-duty officer was not in his uniform when he shot D'Quan Young on the 2300 block of 15th Street NE, near the Brentwood Recreation Center. Newsham said multiple agencies were working in the area about 7 p.m. when they heard the gunshots and responded.

Officers found Young suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead, Newsham said.

Neighbors said it was a chaotic scene when the off-duty officer fired multiple shots.

"He started spraying bullets all around. Bullet holes in people's tires, bumpers and stuff. Like, he was just firing shots...he shot the neighborhood up," witness Andy Williams told News4.

Newsham said it appeared the officer used his service weapon. Young was also armed, he said. 

"We recovered a weapon from the man who had been killed," Newsham said.

Investigators were expected to interview the officer Wednesday night, Newsham said. On Thursday, Newsham said the officer still hadn't given a statement. 

"I want to know how many times my son was shot. Why he had to be gunned down and where he was shot at and why. I just want to know why," said Young's mother, Catherine Young.

"He was a loving father. His daughter worshipped him. He was so sweet. It hurts cause I don't have no answers on what happened to my son," she said.

Police do not know if Young ever fired his weapon.

Newsham did not know why the officer was in the area or the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

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