An off-duty D.C. police officer shot a man in Georgetown early Wednesday following an armed robbery that left another man injured, police say.
An off-duty D.C. police officer injured a man in Georgetown early Wednesday when gunfire erupted as the officer intervened in an armed robbery, police say.
The officer exchanged gunfire with a “possible suspect” in the armed robbery and another shooting about 12:15 a.m., according to Executive Assistant Chief Ashan Benedict and a D.C. police watch commander for the Second District.
According to a watch commander, a second man was wounded in the leg in an initial shooting.
The off-duty officer reported that he witnessed two men, including one who was armed, approach a vehicle with three people inside, Benedict said.
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The suspects were "demanding either the vehicle or cash or other belongings," Benedict said.
The off-duty officer and the armed suspect each fired, Benedict said. The off-duty officer was not injured, police said.
United States Secret Service Uniformed Division officers helped arrest a suspect, and a semi-automatic pistol was found, Benedict said.
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The second suspect got away, Benedict said.
The injured suspect and the first man shot were taken to hospitals to get treatment for injuries not considered life-threatening, police said.
The off-duty officer flagged down other police officers responding to a call about the gunshots in the 1200 block of 28th Street NW, Benedict said.
Police were searching the area for a second suspect in the armed robbery and any other potential suspects.
Crime scene tape blocked off at least three areas amid a massive police response that included Secret Service and U.S. Park Police.
A helicopter was seen flying above Georgetown and shining a searchlight down about 6 a.m.
Stay with News4 for more on this developing story.
Correction (Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021): An earlier version of this story misstated the time of the shooting. It occurred shortly after midnight on Wednesday.
