WASHINGTON — A man was arrested following an officer-involved shooting incident in Southeast D.C. Saturday morning, D.C. Police said.
Officers were called to the 2300 block of Chester Street around 1:30 a.m. after a call was received for a reported aggravated assault and shots fired in the area, according to Executive Assistant Police Chief, Ashan Benedict.
When officers arrived at the scene, they engaged with a person who was armed with a rifle approaching a parked car, police said. Officers gave several commands for the man to drop his weapon before an officer fired shots at the person.
Police said the suspect, identified as 49-year-old Donald Willis Jr., was not struck by gunfire.
It remains unclear why the officer decided to discharge their gun.
Willis then dropped their weapon and got in a car and fled the scene, police said. He crashed the car several blocks away from the initial shooting, Benedict said.
Police were able to recover another firearm they believe Willis discarded. And officers recovered additional items for evidence at the crash scene, Benedict said.
Here's a look at the weapons recovered:
Police put out a search for the individual and were able to locate and arrest the person just before 6 a.m.
Benedict said all officers involved in the incident are OK. The officer who fired shots has been placed on administrative leave in accordance with MPD policy.
Agents from the Force Investigation Team of the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Internal Affairs Bureau are investigating the incident. Body worn camera footage from this incident is under review, police said.
Willis was charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun), Possession of Unregistered Ammunition, Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Carrying a Pistol Without a License, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Felon in Possession, and Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm.
This story is still developing. WUSA9 will provide the latest update as additional information becomes available.