WASHINGTON — Police have identified a man they say died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after an encounter with officers in Northwest D.C. late Monday night.
Around 11:30 p.m., officers responded to Park Road Northwest, off of 14th Street Northwest, after a report of gunshots in the area. Once at the scene, several vehicles with flattened tires and casings on the ground were found. Officers also learned that an assault happened and one of the people involved had a handgun.
The people involved in the incident fled the scene before police arrived, but after reviewing footage at a nearby business they were able to get descriptions of those believed to be persons of interest.
Around 12:17 a.m., on Tuesday, officers saw a man they said fitted the suspect description with a handgun, and they asked him to stop. That man has since been identified as 40-year-old Savontae Dodie Perkins.
Police claim Perkins refused to stop. He then allegedly turned towards officers and fired his gun at officers, police said.
At that point, two officers shot at Perkins. Officers claim he ran towards 14th Street Northwest, and fired additional shots, said MPD Assistant Chief Leslie Parsons.
The officers did not run after the suspect, but instead informed other officers via radio of what happened, according to police.
Soon after, over on Meridian Place Northwest off of 14th Street Northwest, one of the officers saw Perkins reportedly run into an alleyway nearby, Parsons said. The officer then heard a single gunshot.
Perkins was found in a nearby alleyway behind a residence with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police say.
A firearm was found at the scene. The police department's internal affairs division is handling the investigation.
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