A shoplifting suspect got hold of a special police officer’s gun and shot a bystander during a confrontation Thursday, and he remains on the loose, D.C. police say.
The suspect stole about $5,000 worth of items from a store in the 1500 block of New York Avenue NE shortly after 5:35 p.m., investigators said.
As the man was leaving the store, two employees, including an armed special police officer, confronted him. The suspect assaulted them and used pepper spray to gain control of the officer’s gun and fired one round, shooting a bystander, according to police.
The officer managed to get the gun back before the suspect escaped on a scooter.
The bystander and the officer were taken to hospitals for treatment, police said. The second employee wasn’t hurt.
Police are asking for help identifying the suspect, who was seen on a surveillance camera, and shared an image of the suspect here. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 202-727-9099 or text their tip to police at 50411.
