MPD officer dies after being shot while retrieving suspect's gun from sewer

WASHINGTON (7News) — A DC police officer died after being shot Wednesday night while attempting to recover a suspect's weapon from a drainage canal in the northeastern part of the state, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Officials said members of the Violent Crime Suppression Division were in the 4500 block of Quarles Street, northeast, around 5:40 p.m. when they saw a man exit a suspicious vehicle.

MPD officials have released an update.Watch below:

As officers began their investigation, the man ran from the area and jumped onto the roadway on southbound I-295.

According to officials, officers saw the man put a firearm into a drain.

Officials said the man was able to flee the area on a motorcycle. It is unclear if he knew the driver of the motorcycle.

An officer, identified as Investigator Wayne David, attempted to retrieve the gun from the drain. The gun went off and struck David, officials said.

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Other officers on the scene immediately began first aid, and David was flown to a hospital by helicopter, officials said.

At around 10 p.m., MPD officials announced that Officer David had succumbed to his injuries.

“Wayne has been a member of the Metropolitan Police Department for over 25 years and has been assigned to our Violent Crime Unit since 2007,” said MPD Deputy Chief of Police Jeff Carroll.

“He has seized hundreds of weapons throughout the city. He has been a savior to many crime scenes and people in our community,” Carroll added.

According to Carroll, Officer David's death is considered a line of duty death.

The suspect was under surveillance and can be seen in the following photo:

“Tonight, a long-time officer in our MPD family suffered a gunshot wound in a tragic accident while arriving on the scene attempting to recover a firearm. We pray for his recovery and for his colleagues at MPD,” said DC Mayor Bowser.

Police Chief Pamela A. Smith issued a statement following the officer's death, saying, “Our hearts are heavy tonight after the tragic loss of one of our own. Investigator Wayne David, a veteran MPD officer, lost his life in the line of duty. There are few words to express the pain and suffering that Officer David's family and the entire MPD are feeling at this time.”

The incident led to the closure of DC-295. As of 11 p.m., all lanes were reopened to traffic, the Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination (MATOC) said.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call 202-727-9099 or text a tip to 50411.

This incident is ongoing. Stay tuned to 7News for the latest developments.