A male suspect attempted to scale power lines in an effort to evade police after he allegedly fired a gun in northwest Washington, D.C., late Wednesday afternoon.
According to reports, the man was reportedly experiencing a mental health issue and had been standing on a rooftop naked when he allegedly began firing shots and exposing himself. He put his clothes back on before attempting to flee the scene.
FOX5 evening news anchor Jim Lokay kept viewers apprised of the latest developments through a series of tweets.
“BREAKING: Several streets blocked off in the Brightwood Park section of NW DC around Georgia Ave and Kennedy St as an armed man is standing on a rooftop, and also exposing himself. More to come on #FOX5DC on air and online,” he tweeted.
BREAKING: Several streets blocked off in the Brightwood Park section of NW DC around Georgia Ave and Kennedy St as an armed man is standing on a rooftop, and also exposing himself. More to come on #FOX5DC on air and online. pic.twitter.com/0VyQUWxE8M
— Jim Lokay (@LokayFOX5) September 7, 2022
Police attempted to apprehend the man near the intersection of Kennedy St. and Georgia Ave., and although he was able to evade capture, officers did recover a firearm from the scene. Officers said that while the situation was still developing, they did not consider the man to be an “active threat.”
D.C. Metro Police officers blocked off several streets in their ongoing effort to continue the investigation.
MPD Investigation at Georgia Ave, & Jefferson St, NW
⛔️ 5400 Block of Georgia Ave, NW btw Jefferson St & Kennedy St, NW (North/South)
⛔️ 1200 Block of Jefferson St, NW btw Georgia Ave, & 13th St, NW (East/West)
🚗 Watch for MPD directions > Closures are subject to change— DC Police Traffic (@DCPoliceTraffic) September 7, 2022
According to several follow-up tweets, the suspect attempted a very risky escape using the power lines above the street.
NBC4 reporter Jackie Benson added, “Happening Now: intersection Georgia and Jefferson NW shut down. Man seen here has disrobed and is trying to swing on power lines. DC police trying to get him to come down.”
Happening Now: intersection Georgia and Jefferson NW shut down. Man seen here has disrobed and is trying to swing on power lines. DC police trying to get him to come down @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/jhMX9J62zC
— Jackie Bensen (@jackiebensen) September 7, 2022
“A man continues to evade police in NW DC, traversing power lines in the Brightwood Park neighborhood, more than an hour after firing a gun from a nearby rooftop. #FOX5DC,” Lokay added.
Update: three hours later, the man is still hanging above the street. Police have inflated a large safety cushion on the street below. #FOX5DC pic.twitter.com/TwA7lr5SoU
— Jim Lokay (@LokayFOX5) September 8, 2022
“Update: three hours later, the man is still hanging above the street. Police have inflated a large safety cushion on the street below. #FOX5DC,” Lokay added.
Christian Flores, 7NewsDC reporter, noted that the man had also spent some of his time on the run utilizing the rooftops.
“We’re at the scene where a man is running across roofs of homes on Jefferson and 13th in NW D.C.,” he shared. “Just moments ago he was walking across power lines.”
We’re at the scene where a man is running across roofs of homes on Jefferson and 13th in NW D.C. Just moments ago he was walking across power lines. pic.twitter.com/5TVD5wrPzC
— Christian Flores (@CFloresNews) September 7, 2022