A D.C. police officer responding to a reported domestic violence incident shot and critically wounded a man Thursday morning, police said.
Police identified the man on Friday as Javier Reyes-Lopez, 34, of Northwest D.C. He was arrested on charges of assault on a police officer, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, among others.
It happened just after 10:30 a.m. on the 7400 block of Georgia Avenue in Northwest.
Acting Police Chief Pamela Smith said during a news conference that officers first “received a call for a man with a gun and potential domestic situation” at about 10 a.m. in an apartment building.
Smith said officers could not enter the building or locate the caller for more information. Then officers were called to the area again after a 911 call at approximately 10:35 a.m. reporting gunfire related to the apparent domestic violence incident.
“While officers were responding, they were flagged by an individual that gave a description of the person who reportedly fired shots,” Smith said. “Officers located an individual matching the description and began giving verbal commands in English and Spanish.”
When the officers approached, Smith said the man pulled out a firearm and started shooting at an officer. The officer fired one shot in response and struck the suspect.
Officers began rendering aid immediately, and the man was taken to a hospital. Police on Friday said in a news release that Reyes-Lopez is in “critical but stable condition.”
Police recovered a firearm on the scene. Smith said that what happened is “another reminder of the potential danger when a firearm is introduced into a domestic situation and the dangers that our officers face each day.”
The officer who shot Reyes-Lopez has been placed on administrative leave, per D.C. police policy.
This investigation is still ongoing and police are asking anyone with information or potential video to contact them at 202-727-9099. Police body camera is currently under review.
WTOP’s Abigail Constantino and Alicia Abelson contributed to this report.
