Current:Home > NewsWashington DC police officer killed while attempting to retrieve discarded firearm -Wealth Momentum Network
Washington DC police officer killed while attempting to retrieve discarded firearm
View
Date:2025-04-24 18:28:32
A Washington, D.C. police officer was killed Wednesday after he was shot while trying to retrieve a weapon from a storm drain.
The Metropolitan Police Department said that Investigator Wayne David had been with the department for more than 25 years.
“Investigator David was the epitome of a great officer. He was a dedicated and highly respected member of the department, and this is a tremendous loss for all of us,” Metropolitan Police Department Chief of Police Pamela Smith said in a statement.
Killed while attempting to recover discarded firearm
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, David was among a group of police officers canvassing a street in northeast Washington D.C.’s Kenilworth neighborhood on the afternoon of August 28, when they attempted to approach a man exiting a nearby vehicle. The officers attempted to approach the man, who was seen discarding a firearm in a nearby storm drain before fleeing the area on a motorcycle.
While attempting to recover the weapon, it discharged, striking David once. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
Metropolitan Police Department Executive Chief Assistant Jeffrey Carroll said Wednesday evening at a press conference that, “Wayne is a true hero to the District of Columbia tonight. Today, he gave his life to serve the visitors and the residents here in the District of Columbia, and we will never forget that. This is considered a line-of-duty death.”
The incident remains under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
According to a report compiled by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 71 law enforcement officers had died in the line of duty in 2024 as of June 30. Those numbers included two other instances of accidental shootings.
Max Hauptman is a Trending Reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at MHauptman@gannett.com
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Customer points gun on Burger King employee after getting a discounted breakfast, police say
- Mike Tyson says he's scared to death of upcoming Jake Paul fight
- Woman convicted 22 years after husband's remains found near Michigan blueberry field: Like a made-for-TV movie
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Bringing dental care to kids in schools is helping take care of teeth neglected in the pandemic
- Lizelle Gonzalez is suing the Texas prosecutors who charged her criminally after abortion
- A former Houston police officer is indicted again on murder counts in a fatal 2019 drug raid
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- North Carolina lawsuits challenging same-day registration change can proceed, judge says
Ranking
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- LSU star Angel Reese declares for WNBA draft
- Planters is looking to hire drivers to cruise in its Nutmobile: What to know about the job
- When does 'Scoop' come out? Release date, cast, where to watch movie about Prince Andrew BBC interview
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Are whales mammals? Understanding the marine animal's taxonomy.
- In new movie 'Monkey Man,' Dev Patel got physical. He has the broken bones to prove it.
- Bill Clinton reflects on post-White House years in the upcoming memoir ‘Citizen’
Recommendation
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
Don't touch the alien-like creatures: What to know about the caterpillars all over Florida
Shohei Ohtani homers for the first time as a Dodger, gets ball back from fan
UConn men delayed in Connecticut ahead of Final Four because of plane issues
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Average long-term US mortgage rate rises modestly this week, holding just below 7%
Border Patrol must care for migrant children who wait in camps for processing, a judge says
Meghan McCain slams off-Broadway stage play about late dad John McCain: 'This is trash'