Police in the District have identified the man who was shot and wounded by officers who were carrying out what the department called “proactive patrol” in Southeast D.C. on Friday.
Kenneth Coleman, 35, has been charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and three related gun charges after police said he pulled out a gun and pointed it at officers before he was shot.
The shooting happened in the 1400 block of Bangor Street at around 6:20 p.m. Friday.
According to a release from the department, officers connected to the District’s homicide reduction partnership approached Coleman in a courtyard area. The department did not explicitly say what reason, if any, its officers had for speaking with the man.
After police identified themselves, Coleman fled into a nearby alley, according to police.
“When officers entered the alley, at one point, the individual pulled out a firearm and appeared to discharge at least one round,” D.C. police said in a news release. “The individual then pointed the firearm at the officers.”
That’s when officers fired, striking Coleman, according to the news release.
Coleman was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries and is expected to survive the shooting. No officers were injured by gunfire during the incident, according to the department.
It’s unclear whether Coleman discharged his firearm or only appeared to do so.
During a news conference on Friday, D.C. police Chief Pamela Smith previously told reporters that Coleman fired “multiple shots towards (DC) officers” after following him into an alleyway.
“Our officers returned fire, striking the individual,” Smith said.
The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave while an investigation takes place, which includes a review of body-worn cameras.
“The officers’ body-worn cameras were activated, and body-worn camera footage will be released pursuant to District of Columbia law,” the department said.
WTOP’s Will Vitka and Jack Moore contributed to this report.
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