WASHINGTON — A Washington, D.C., police officer died Wednesday after he was shot when a gun he was trying to retrieve from a sewer accidentally went off, government officials said.
The officer, Wayne David, was a member of the Metropolitan Police Department for more than 25 years, said Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll.
“Wayne is a true hero to the District of Columbia, and today he gave his life to serve the visitors and residents here,” Carroll said. “We will never forget that.”
Carroll said earlier Wednesday that officers saw someone get out of a suspicious vehicle in the northeast part of the city, leave on foot and jump onto Interstate 295. Officers saw the person throw a weapon into a storm drain and then flee on the back of a motorcycle, he said.
Police were trying to retrieve the gun from the drain when it discharged, striking the officer at least once, Carroll said. Police are looking for the suspect who put the gun in the drain, he said.
