WASHINGTON (7News) — A U.S. Park Police officer was shot in Southeast Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officials confirmed.
The officer was shot while inside an unmarked vehicle on the 5000 block of Queens Stroll Place SE, around 7:30 p.m. tonight, Park Police officials shared during a press conference. U.S. Park Police were in the area investigating an earlier incident.
Park Police say the officer was working undercover in a white Tesla when two suspects opened fire at his moving vehicle and “ambushed” him.
The MPD interim chief says the Park Police officer was the only person in the car, so it appears he then drove himself about a half mile from Queens Stroll Place SE to Benning Road SE near its intersection with Southern Avenue.
A witness near the shooting scene says he saw a white Tesla drive away at a high rate of speed.
7News could see the Tesla at that scene Monday night. It had what appeared to be multiple bullet holes in it.
No suspects are in custody at this time. Police are searching for two people they believe were responsible for the shooting.
Multiple witnesses say they heard two distinct guns firing during the alleged ambush.
The officer was transported to a local hospital via Park Police helicopter in non-life-threatening condition.
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D.C. Fire confirmed the officer was transported from the area of Benning Road and Hillside Road in Southeast. The dispatch call came in at 7:30 p.m., and the patient was transported by U.S. Park Police Medivac helicopter to a hospital.
The investigation has prompted road closures in the area:
- including the 5000 through 5100 block of Queens Stroll Place, SE;
- the 5000 block of Benning Road, SE, from H Street to Southern Avenue, SE;
- the 4600 block of Hillside Road, SE, from Benning Road to 46th Street, SE.
Police said there is no vehicular or pedestrian traffic allowed in the closure areas and urged people to avoid the area or follow directions from officers, noting the closures are subject to change.
