Guard Stabbed At National Shrine, 2nd Guard Hit By Car: Police

WASHINGTON, DC – Two security guards were badly injured Tuesday morning at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in northeast Washington, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

Police said that around 9:15 a.m., they responded to the 400 block of Michigan Avenue NE for a report of a stabbing. When they arrived on scene, they said they located a female security guard who had been struck by a vehicle.

"The female was struck at least two times with the vehicle," Assistant Police Chief Jeffery Carroll said. “The preliminary investigation reveals he (the suspect) did pin her against another vehicle."

Caroll said the suspect then went into the National Shrine and stabbed a male security guard several times before fleeing the scene in his car. Police quickly tracked the suspect down at his home, in the 1300 block of Sheridan Street NW.

"Police were able to establish communications with the suspect, and the suspect eventually came outside and gave himself up to police," the police chief said.

Police said they do not believe the incident that occurred at the National Shrine is hate- or terror- related.

"We believe there is some sort of relationship between the female victim and the suspect here," Carroll said. "However, it is preliminary, and we continue to investigate."

Both victims were transported to a nearby hospital and are said to be in stable condition.

Police said that when they took the suspect into custody, they said he had lacerations, stab wounds to his stomach area. Police said it's not clear how the suspect obtained those injuries.

"The suspect is being transported to a local hospital with minor injuries and will be charged for the offenses that occurred," the assistant police chief said.

Police have not released the suspect's identity or the charges.

Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.