WASHINGTON — Thursday quickly became a frightening morning for some residents in Navy Yard, D.C. as a shootout and barricade situation unfolded before sunrise.
A Housing Authority Police officer was shot in Navy Yard, resulting in two people being arrested.
"You can hear gunshots, helicopters, police, dogs, everything," said Simone, a resident and mother who did not give WUSA9 her last name.
The shooting was first reported around 6 a.m. in the 400 block of M Street, Southeast. According to the Housing Authority, the officer was responding to unlawful entry call during a regular patrol at the Carroll Apartments. The officer found two people inside. Police have since identified them as 40-year-old Victor Terrill and 37-year-old Teyona Tolson.
Housing Authority Police Department Chief Michael Reese offered details about what happened. The officer, who has not been identified, responded to the report of an "unwanted guest" outside a second-floor apartment inside the complex. The officer asked the man and woman to leave and they refused. The officer, a 6-year veteran of the force, attempted to place them under arrest. The Terrill resisted and a struggle ensured. Terrill shot the officer in the abdomen and the pair took off running.
"There was an exchange of gunfire in the lobby and then a third exchange of gunfire outside the building," the chief told reporters.
The suspects then ran to the 1300 block of 4th Street, Southeast. A citizen tipped off police that the suspects ran into the parking garage area of the Arris Apartments. Reese said the suspects barricaded inside that garage.
"My kids woke up and ran to my room and my window is above the loading dock," said Simone. "We’re paying all this money to live somewhere where you should feel safe and secure with or without children. I'm considering moving out."
She told WUSA9 managers told residents by email to shelter in place as MPD's Emergency Response Team worked to get the suspects out. They were arrested about three hours later.
Terrill, of Landover, Maryland, who was arrested and charged with Assault with Intent to Kill, Assault on a Police Officer, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Unlawful Entry, Tolson of Southwest, D.C. who was arrested and charged with Unlawful Entry.
Police said Thursday night that a gun was found in a trashcan inside the building, they allege the gun belongs to the suspects.
This marks the third barricade situation in the District in as many weeks, including a 13-hour standoff after three MPD officers were shot while trying to serve a warrant for animal cruelty.
"Very disturbing," Chief Reese said. "The violence is escalating, but it was just a challenging time right now for law enforcement officers and the community at large."
"It's deeply disturbing to have to wake up to this type of scene, and frankly, I'm sick and tired of it," added Councilmember At-Large Kenyan McDuffie, who was on the scene as the investigation continued Thursday. "This is steps away from a school where parents and kids expect to be safe. I’m thankful for law enforcement ... identifying the suspect, making an arrest and now we need to bring those individuals to justice."
As for Simone, she eventually walked her two 5-year-old children through the crime scene and to nearby Van Ness Elementary School trying her best to comfort them.
"I let them know as long as we stick together and we have each other we’ll be fine," she said.
Many residents told WUSA9 they were concerned by the way management informed them of the ongoing barricade. Simone wonders how the suspects gained access to the garage area that she believed should have been closed.
WUSA9 reached out to the managers of the Arris apartments, Mill Creek Residential, about the residents' concerns. We are still waiting to hear back.
"Unfortunately, with the the pressures of the city, we’ve noticed that the mental health services need to increase to address the needs of people who are severe mentally ill and have access to handguns and automatic weapons," said Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White.
The chief said the investigation is still in its preliminary stages. It's not known whether any weapons were recovered at the scene.
Additional details about the suspects and officers have not been made public.
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