Democratic congressman carjacked at gunpoint in D.C. neighborhood

A Democratic congressman from Texas was the victim of a carjacking in a D.C. neighborhood Monday evening.

Multiple news outlets, including Fox News and Politico reported that Rep. Henry Cuellar had his white Honda seized at gunpoint in the Navy Yard area late in the evening.

Axios reported that the assailants pointed guns at Mr. Cuellar’s head and also took his phone.

Police said Monday evening that they are searching for three Black males, all dressed in black. They warned the public not to try to confront the suspects but to call 911.

Rep. Henry Cuellar was carjacked right outside a dorm building in which dozens or House members live, per an alert sent to the members.

3-4 men held guns to his head, they took his phone and his car as he was parked on the street, the alert says.

— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) October 3, 2023

The carjacking took place outside an apartment building in which dozens of House members live.

Jacob Hochberg, Mr. Cuellar’s chief of staff, said in a statement that the congressman “was not harmed and is working with local law enforcement.”

Fox News reported that the entire block around New Jersey Avenue and K Street Southeast, in the neighborhood of Nationals Park, was blocked off by police.

Monday’s incident was the second assault on a member of Congress in the District of Columbia this year. In February, Democratic Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota was assaulted in her Washington apartment building, suffering bruises while escaping serious injury. Her chief of staff said the attack did not appear to be politically motivated.

In June, Kendrid Khalil Hamlin, 26, pleaded guilty in that case to charges of assaulting a member of Congress and assaulting law enforcement officers. Hamlin was also accused of assaulting two officers as they attempted to arrest him on the same day of Craig’s attack.

• This article is based in part on wire service reports.