x
Breaking News
More () »

Police: Off-duty DC Police officers shoot, kill man allegedly armed with a gun at the Wharf

Police identified the man killed as 23-year-old Lazarus Wilson, of Dumfries, Virginia.

WASHINGTON — Off-duty D.C. Police officers shot and killed a man who was pointing a gun at another person in the Wharf in Southwest D.C. late Saturday night, Police Chief Robert J. Contee III said. 

According to D.C. police, another person, police described as a "witness" who appeared to be with the man, also suffered a graze wound. The person was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment with a non-life-threatening injury. 

During a media conference, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert Contee said the shooting happened around 9:13 p.m. in the 800 block of Wharf Street SW. 

Two officers who opened fire were off-duty, and they happened to be in the waterfront area "enjoying the evening" when they witnessed a man allegedly brandish a firearm during a confrontation outside a restaurant, according to Contee. 

“Two off-duty members of the Metropolitan Police Department were in the area of the Wharf," Contee said. "While they were here, they observed an armed individual pointing a handgun down at the waterfront area."

Officers demand the suspect to drop his weapon, but the suspect did not comply, according to D.C. Police. One of the officers discharged their service weapon and struck the suspect.

DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services were summoned. D.C. police initially said the person was taken to hospital with critical and life-threatening injuries.

After all life-saving efforts failed, the man was pronounced dead at a local hospital.  He was later identified as 23-year-old Lazarus Wilson, of Dumfries, VA.

The suspect was captured on surveillance camera on the 800 block of Wharf Street, Southwest.

It is unclear at who or what the man was aiming or if he fired the weapon. 

Police didn't say who fired first during the exchange, but at least one shot was fired. Contee said all the information police have is still preliminary.

According to Contee, a semi-automatic weapon that they believe belongs to the suspect was recovered from the scene following the shooting.

Credit: DC Police Department

Contee did not provide details on who and what the man was pointing his gun. 

Force Investigation Teams of the Metropolitan Police Department Internal Affairs Bureau agents are investigating the incident. The investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story and WUSA9 will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.  

RELATED: 'I wish I knew why' | DC Police provide first major update on investigation into 'sniper-style' shooting

RELATED: Greenbelt officer shoots, wounds man

RELATED: Off-duty police officer accidentally shoots self responding to active crime scene

WUSA9 is now on Roku and Amazon Fire TVs. Download the apps today for live newscasts and video on demand.

Download the WUSA9 app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips.

Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter: Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.
Sign up for the Capitol Breach email newsletter, delivering the latest breaking news and a roundup of the investigation into the Capitol Riots on January 6, 2021.

Before You Leave, Check This Out