Man in critical condition after gunfight with police in NW DC

Officers shot a man in a Northwest D.C. neighborhood Friday afternoon, after he allegedly pulled a handgun and fired at them while fleeing the scene.

A handgun was recovered after the shooting of a suspect in Petworth on Friday afternoon. (Courtesy D.C. police)

D.C. police responded to the 500 block of Varnum Street NW in Petworth around 5:45 p.m. for a report of gunshots. According to a police account of the incident, they canvassed the area and encountered 36-year-old District resident Douglas Maiden armed with a handgun.

Maiden pointed his gun at the officers and fired before running away, officials said in a news release Friday. Police gave chase and exchanged more gunfire with Maiden, who was hit multiple times and was later transported to a hospital in critical condition.

Maiden faces charges of assaulting a police officer and carrying a pistol without a license. One of the two officers involved was treated for injuries deemed non-life threatening.

Both officers have been placed on administrative leave as per Metropolitan Police Department policy. Their body cameras were active and footage will be reviewed, police said.

Brett Snyder

Brett Snyder is a social media and digital engagement specialist with a background in digital marketing and communications. Before joining WTOP, he worked with Hometown Podcasts and JLS Digital Marketing, with a focus on building and expanding social media pages.

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