Authorities say a National Guard member and a suspected assailant were wounded Sunday night after Guard personnel intervened in a fight on a sidewalk in Southeast Washington near the Eastern Market area.
What happened
Shortly before 11 p.m., seven to eight Guard members were sitting in a parked van when they observed a confrontation on the sidewalk, according to local law enforcement. The Guard members exited the vehicle to try to break up the altercation. The situation quickly escalated when a person involved in the fight produced a firearm and opened fire.
"The National Guard members told the individual to drop the firearm,"
Interim D.C. Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll told reporters that the gunman fired at the Guard members and that members of the Guard returned fire. Officers say the exchange continued as the gunman moved into a nearby alley.
Injuries and immediate response
Firefighters from a nearby station provided medical attention on scene. According to police, both the Guard member and the suspect were transported to a hospital with wounds described as not life-threatening. The Guard member was treated and released; the suspect remained in custody at the hospital.
- Number of Guard members present: seven to eight in the van
- Number of Guard members who fired weapons: three
- Time of incident: around 11 p.m. Sunday
Police said the fight had begun earlier in the evening at an establishment near where the shooting occurred. Charges are to be filed against the suspect, though specific charges had not been announced late Sunday.
| Person | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|
| National Guard member | Shot in the leg | Treated and released |
| Suspect | Shot in the abdomen | In custody, hospitalized |
Officials have not publicly identified the Guard member or the suspect. The D.C. Police Department and other city agencies are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the confrontation and exchange of gunfire.
This incident raises questions for residents about public safety in and around the Eastern Market neighborhood, a busy section of Southeast Washington known for its evening activity. City and law enforcement leaders will likely face local inquiries about the role of off-duty or non-police personnel in intervening during violent altercations, and whether additional measures are needed to prevent similar shootings.
