A Washington, D.C. police officer died Wednesday after he was shot when a gun he was trying to retrieve from a storm drain accidentally went off, authorities said.
The officer, Wayne David, had been a member of the Metropolitan Police Department for more than 25 years, Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll said.
“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 town, leave on foot and jump onto Interstate 295. Officers saw the person throw a gun into a storm drain before fleeing on the back of a motorcycle, he said.
Police were trying to remove the gun from the drain when the gun went off, hitting the officer at least once, Carroll said. Police are searching for the suspect who placed the gun in the drain, he added.
