Officer Wayne David, a 25-year veteran of the Washington, D.C., police, was tragically killed on Wednesday after a firearm accidentally discharged while he was attempting to recover it from a storm drain. The D.C. Police Union announced the devastating loss, confirming that David was struck in the head by the gun’s discharge.
The incident occurred after officers witnessed a suspect fleeing from a suspicious vehicle and discarding a firearm into a storm drain before escaping on a motorcycle. As David and his team worked to retrieve the gun, it unexpectedly discharged, resulting in fatal injuries. David was immediately transported to the hospital, but he could not be saved.
The D.C. Police Union expressed their grief on social media, asking for prayers for David’s family and coworkers. “We are all devastated at this incredible loss,” the union stated.
Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll spoke highly of David’s service, describing him as a “true hero” who sacrificed his life in the line of duty. Carroll emphasized that David’s commitment to serving the people of D.C. would never be forgotten.
The search for the suspect responsible for discarding the firearm is ongoing, with law enforcement releasing descriptions of a male suspect with long dreadlocks, last seen in a white T-shirt and blue shorts.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser reflected on the tragic nature of the incident, noting that while it appears to have been an accident, it highlights the daily risks faced by law enforcement officers.
