Three D.C. police officers wounded, suspect killed in Northeast shootout

D.C. police said three officers were wounded early Monday when an armed man opened fire on them inside the lobby of a Northeast apartment building. The officers returned fire and killed the suspect.

Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said all three officers are expected to survive after being wounded in the shooting that erupted around 4:40 a.m. Monday on the 300 block of Florida Avenue NE.

Police did not immediately divulge the suspect’s identity.

“This is yet another reminder of the daily dangers that we face every day in our city and across the U.S. I’m very grateful that our officers were able to get through this particular incident without any further injuries,” Chief Smith said.

The chief said officers initially responded to a report of a man who fired off his gun inside the lobby of the Union Market Apartments.

Officers encountered the man inside the complex, but he ducked inside an elevator to get away, police said.

Chief Smith said police waited for more officers to arrive when the man exited the same elevator a few minutes later. She said the man pulled out a gun as officers moved to arrest him.

“During the struggle the suspect fired — discharged his gun at the officers — and the officers returned fire, striking the suspect,” the chief said.

Police pronounced the man dead at the scene. Chief Smith said the man appeared to have some familiarity with the building, but she wasn’t sure if he was a resident.

The three officers were taken to a hospital for treatment. The chief said all three are in stable condition.

The three officers will be placed on leave while the Metropolitan Police Department reviews the shooting.

The D.C. Police Union said in a statement officers were responding to a report of a burglary when they confronted the armed man.

“We can confirm that all three officers have suffered non-life-threatening injuries and will likely be released within the next 24 hours,” Union Chairman Gregg Pemberton said in a statement. “We want to extend our gratitude to the doctors and nurses for their incredible care.”