Police investigate if gunfire was exchanged before off-duty DC officer shot, killed man

WASHINGTON - Authorities say they are investigating to determine if gunfire was exchanged before an off-duty DC police officer shot and killed a man in the District.

"There is forensic evidence and witness statements, right now, that suggests that there was an exchange of gunfire between the off-duty officer and the decedent," D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham said at a press conference on Friday.

Newsham said the man who was killed, 24-year-old D'Quan Young, was believed to have been in possession of a firearm that was recovered at the scene in the 2300 block of 15th Street in Northeast DC late Wednesday night. He said the off-duty officer involved was hired in 2016 and was in the Montana Terrace neighborhood to attend a cookout. Newsham said police were still investigating what led up to the shooting.

D.C. Housing Authority Police, members of the police gun recovery unit, patrol officers and another off-duty officer were nearby on Wednesday when they heard the gunshots, according to Newsham. When they arrived at the scene they found Young suffering from gunshots wounds and he later died.

The off-duty officer who shot Young was assigned to the 7th District, Newsham added. Newsham said the off-duty officer used his police-issued service weapon in the shooting. He added that the off-duty officer has since been placed on administrative leave.

Newsham said video from security cameras at the nearby Brentwood Recreation Center were viewed but no images of the shooting were found. Police asked neighbors to reach out to them if they have any footage from their own security cameras or devices that may help with the investigation.

The police chief added that the off-duty officer was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and has not yet given a statement regarding the shooting. Newsham said the off-duty officer has a lawyer and that he was taken from the scene by another officer because of the volatility at the scene during the incident.

FOX 5's Paul Wagner tweeted that Newsham said a sergeant has been placed on "non-contact status" because there were concerns over the amount of time it took for officials to be notified that the off-duty officer was involved in the shooting.