WASHINGTON, D.C. — A man was fatally shot by police Tuesday evening after crashing into an MPD cruiser, brandishing a knife, and attempting to carjack a vehicle in Northwest D.C., authorities said.
The incident began around 6:10 p.m. in the 3500 block of Georgia Avenue, Northwest, when a driver veered into oncoming traffic and struck a marked MPD cruiser. After the crash, the suspect exited his vehicle, pulled out a knife, and reached through the officer’s window, demanding the officer’s service weapon.
The officer retreated inside the cruiser and issued multiple commands for the suspect to drop the weapon. When the suspect refused and continued to threaten the officer, the officer fired, striking him. The officer then exited the cruiser to render aid, but the suspect picked up the knife and advanced toward the officer.
The suspect then entered another marked police cruiser before attempting to carjack a civilian vehicle nearby. A second officer fired, striking the suspect again. Officers administered lifesaving measures until DC Fire and EMS arrived, but the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as 29-year-old Surafel Zerihun of Northwest D.C. His knife was recovered at the scene. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave per department policy, and the shooting is under review by MPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with information is urged to call police at (202) 727-9099 or text tips to 50411.