DC Police Officer Investigated After Firing Service Weapon

WASHINGTON, DC — A Metropolitan Police Department officer is the subject of an Internal Affairs Bureau investigation after he discharged his service weapon Wednesday night while apprehending a suspect.

Around 8:25 p.m., officers from the Seventh District heard the sound of multiple gunshots being fired in the 1500 block of Alabama Avenue, S.E. As they canvassed the area, officers approached a group of individuals in a parking lot. One of the individuals, an adult man, showed a firearm and began running toward Alabama Avenue, Southeast.

The officers gave chase on foot. Another officer who was responding to the call encountered the armed man outside of the 1500 block of Alabama Avenue, S.E. He discharged his service weapon at the individual, but did not strike him.

Police arrested Otha Williams, 30, of Northwest, and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault on a police officer while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm, possession of an unregistered firearm, receiving/ possessing a firearm having its serial number obliterated, and felon in possession of a handgun.

Police recovered the suspect's firearm and released a photo of it.

Pursuit to MPD policy, the officer who discharged his weapon was placed on administrative leave. Officers responding to the scene had activated their body-worn camera and the footage is currently under review.