5 Arson Incidents Along H Street Corridor In DC Investigated

WASHINGTON, DC — The ATF/DC Arson and Explosives Task Force, which includes personnel from the Metropolitan Police Department, D.C. Fire and EMS, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, is asking the public's help in identifying a suspect in connection with a string of arson incidents that occurred early Wednesday near the H Street Corridor, according to a police release:

• Assault with intent to kill (arson): Around 12:22 a.m., the suspect approached the victim in the 1300 block of H St., N.E.. After igniting a cloth, he threw it on the victim and fled the scene. No injuries were reported.

• Destruction of property: At about 1:05 a.m., D.C. Fire and EMS and officers from the First District responded to the report of an automobile fire in the 1300 block of Florida Ave., N.E. D.C. Fire and EMS personnel extinguished the fire and no injuries were reported. Following an investigation, it was determined that the fire had been intentionally set.

• Assault with intent to kill (arson): Around 1:08 a.m., D.C. Fire and EMS responded for the report of a fire in the 900 block of H St., N.E. Fire investigators determined the fire had been intentionally set. MPD officers found an adult male victim suffering from life-threatening injuries. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated.
• Arson: At about 1:25 a.m., the suspect approached an unoccupied residence in the 1400 block of Morse St., N.E., and poured a flammable liquid on the outside of the residence. After igniting the liquid, the suspect fled the scene.
• Arson: Around 1:35 a. m., members of D.C. Fire and EMS and officers of the Fifth District responded for the report of a fire in the 1400 block of Morse St., N.E. Firefighters extinguished the fire and no injuries were reported. Following an investigation, the cause of the fire was determined to have been intentionally set.

MPD, which is investigating the cases as potentially being linked, released photos of the suspect captured on nearby surveillance cameras.

Anyone with information about these incidents or the suspect is asked to call police at 202-727-9099 or text a tip to the Department's TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.