A man is facing felony charges and remains hospitalized Monday after being shot by police outside a D.C. nightclub early Sunday morning and crashing his vehicle just blocks away.
In an update on Monday, D.C. police identified Christopher Cherry as the man who allegedly made threats to the nightclub’s security and drove toward its entrance before officers fired at him. He was seriously injured.
The 28-year-old allegedly became involved in a dispute over an entrance fee with security at a nightclub in the 1800 block of New York Avenue around 1:30 a.m., according to a release issued by the department.
Although he eventually left the scene, police said Cherry threatened to return to the club with a gun.
It was while police interviewed club security that Cherry eventually returned in a car and drove toward the club’s entrance, all in the direction of officers and club security, according to police.
He suddenly drove in reverse and fled the location, prompting police to begin a search of the area.
A short time later, police said, Cherry returned.
Despite officers’ orders for the individual to exit his vehicle, he drove in the direction of the club’s entrance and pedestrians before reversing in the direction of a D.C. police officer.
At that time, another officer at the side of the vehicle fired toward the man multiple times, police said. While Cherry managed to drive away from the scene, he crashed his vehicle in the 3400 block of New York Avenue in Northeast D.C.
He was taken to a hospital conscious and breathing, but suffering from multiple gunshot injuries, police said. No one else was hurt during the incident.
Cherry has been charged with felony assault on a police officer, assault with a dangerous weapon, threat to kidnap or injure a person, reckless driving and leaving after colliding, according to the Monday news release from police.
The officers involved in the case have been placed on administrative leave, in line with the department’s policy.
The shooting will be investigated by the Internal Affairs Bureau’s Force Investigations Team. The case will also be independently reviewed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Those with information about the shooting are asked to call D.C. police at 202-727-9099.
Below is a map of the area where the shooting took place:
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