WASHINGTON — The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating after police say a man fell off a ledge in a Cleveland Park apartment building while trying to escape police pursuit and died.
At approximately 1:15 a.m., authorities responded to the 2501 Porter Apartment building in Northwest D.C. for the report of a burglary.
Upon arrival, police learned that a man had gained entry into two apartments in the building, both of which had people home at the time. In one of the offenses, police said the suspect sexually assaulted a woman in her apartment.
Dave Simon lives on the 6th floor. He and his wife awoke to unusual noises. "We could hear running in the halls and screaming, not like a party screaming, but someone was scared," recalled Simon.
Other neighbors said the commotion came from the 7th floor. They believe the suspect was armed with a knife.
Police said the man attempted to escape by running to the roof of the building and hanging over the ledge. The man fell from the building and was pronounced dead on the scene, police said.
"How terrifying and tragic," said Judy Philactos, "how did he get in the building? It's a locked building. It makes you wonder how safe we all are."
WUSA9 reached out to Equity Management but did not hear back at the time of this posting. However, tenants said the garage door does not close immediately and while there is a guard at the front desk it is quite easy to gain access to the apartments.
Police are still investigating this case, as it continues to remain under active investigation. It is still unclear if the suspect had ties to the building or the victims involved. Anyone with information should call D.C. Police at 202-727-9099 or text 50411.
This is a developing story that will be updated once more information becomes available to WUSA9.