A National Guard member was reportedly shot while attempting to break up a late-night fight in Washington, D.C., as stated by police authorities.
On Sunday night, around 11:10 p.m., seven or eight members of the National Guard were observing a fight from a parked van in the Eastern Market area.
“They got out of their vehicle to intervene when they heard gunfire,” said interim Chief Jeffery Carroll during a press briefing.
“One of the fighters drew a gun and started shooting,” he added.
The shooter then fled into a nearby alley, and the National Guard members ordered him to drop his weapon.
“The suspect pointed his gun at the National Guard members, who then returned fire,” Carroll explained.
The shooter sustained an abdominal gunshot wound while one of the National Guard members was shot in the leg. Fortunately, both received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries at local hospitals.
The individual responsible for the shooting was arrested, and it was noted that three National Guard members had fired their weapons during the confrontation.
Authorities later identified the suspect as 41-year-old Jerrell Jackson.
Jackson faces multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, assault on police and emergency personnel, carrying a firearm without a license, and possession of a firearm as a felon.
Police reported that they recovered Jackson’s gun at the scene along with at least 14 shell casings.
The Internal Affairs Bureau’s Force Investigations Team is reviewing the officer-involved shooting.
It’s worth mentioning that Jackson has a history of legal issues, including two prior convictions for assaulting a police officer and one for carrying a pistol without a license.
A spokesperson for the White House expressed hopes for a swift recovery for the injured National Guard member, noting the suspect’s extensive criminal record.
They also commented on initiatives like the president’s Safe and Beautiful Task Force, highlighting a significant drop in crime rates in Washington, D.C.
Additionally, the owner of a nearby smoke shop indicated that the incident was captured on their security footage, which they are sharing with police.
