D.C. police officer Wayne David died on Wednesday evening after he suffered an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound while trying to recover a weapon from a storm drain, police have announced.
Officers were responding to reports of a suspicious vehicle when a man jumped out of a car, ran onto the I-295 highway and placed the gun inside a storm drain, ABC News has learned. The suspect then fled the scene on the back of a motorcycle.
When police then tried to retrieve the weapon, it went off, striking David — a 25-year veteran of the police force — in the upper torso. Other officers rendered aid and David was transferred to a local hospital.
Executive Assistant Chief of D.C. Police Jeffery Caroll told reporters earlier in the day that David — a crime scene search officer — was “trained to recover evidence and firearms,” and had recovered “hundreds of guns” in his career.
Pamela A. Smith, the D.C. chief of police, said in a statement: “Our hearts are heavy tonight after the tragic loss of one of our own.”
“Investigator Wayne David, a veteran MPD officer, lost his life while serving in the line of duty. There are few words to express the hurt and pain that Officer David’s family and the entire MPD is feeling right now.”
“Investigator David was the epitome of a great officer. He was a dedicated and highly respected member of the department, and this is a tremendous loss for all of us.”
“For more than 25 years, Investigator David dedicated his life to protecting and safeguarding the District of Columbia. He served with passion and honor and had the utmost respect of his peers.”
“I will be forever grateful for Investigator David’s service to the Metropolitan Police Department and his life will never be forgotten,” the statement read.
Police are still searching for the suspect who ditched the gun, and said there is no indication that the man knew the motorcyclist whose vehicle he escaped on. The department has released an image of the suspect.
ABC News’ Beatrice Peterson contributed to this report.
A Washington D.C. police officer is currently recovering after suffering an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound while attempting to retrieve his firearm from a storm drain. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, has raised questions about the safety protocols in place for law enforcement officers when handling their weapons.
The officer, whose name has not been released, was responding to a call in the Georgetown neighborhood when he accidentally dropped his firearm into a storm drain. In an attempt to retrieve the weapon, he reached down into the drain and accidentally discharged the gun, injuring himself in the process.
The officer was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where he underwent surgery for his injuries. Thankfully, he is expected to make a full recovery. The incident has prompted an internal investigation by the D.C. police department to determine what went wrong and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future.
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face on a daily basis. Handling firearms is a critical part of their job, and proper training and safety protocols are essential to prevent accidents like this from happening.
It is important for law enforcement agencies to regularly review and update their training procedures to ensure that officers are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to handle their weapons safely. Additionally, it is crucial for officers to always remain vigilant and focused when handling firearms, especially in high-stress situations.
As the officer continues to recover from his injuries, we can only hope that this incident serves as a wake-up call for law enforcement agencies across the country to prioritize the safety of their officers and take proactive measures to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.
