Officer Involved Shooting

The suspect was involved in a verbal dispute with his girlfriend and when she would not allow him entry to her residence, he drove away in his vehicle, crashing into a fence in the process.  The suspect was alone in his vehicle as he drove northbound on L Street and witnesses indicated that he was driving aggressively and erratically. He crashed his car into an unoccupied vehicle which was parked along in the street in the 1100 Block of North L Street.   Witnesses and the vehicle owner went out to the collision scene and they reported that the suspect was trying to leave the scene, and he appeared to be under the influence.  Following the crash, the witnesses reported that they saw the suspect “dusting” in his car.  Dusting is the inhaling of aerosolized canisters containing compressed gas.   The witnesses informed the driver that the police had been called and were on the way, and he continued to try to get the car started to drive away.  One of the individuals was able to gain control of the suspect’s keys to prevent him from leaving, and he went inside his residence to await the arrival of the police.   The suspect banged on the door of the residence demanding his keys while brandishing a semi-automatic handgun.  The suspect told the victim to exit and help him search for his keys.  The victim, fearing for his family’s safety, came out of the residence and told the suspect he would help him find the keys.     The first two responding officers arrived on scene within three minutes, and the suspect exited the car and began to walk away from them. He dropped one aerosol canister and then a second.  The officers gave him multiple commands, however, the suspect continued to walk away before reaching under his shirt and pulling out the semi-automatic handgun.  As the suspect turned in the direction of the officers while brandishing the weapon, both officers fired, striking the suspect.  Officers on scene immediately rendered medical aid and responding fire personnel transported the suspect to the hospital.  His condition was serious but stable, and he is expected to survive.    The suspect has gang affiliation and multiple prior arrests.