WASHINGTON (WUSA9) — An off-duty DC police officer is on administrative leave after shooting and killing a man Thursday, police said.
According to witnesses, 24-year-old D’Quan Young was shot numerous times after he and the off-duty officer got into some kind of argument.
It happened just before 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday in the 2500 block of 15th Street NE. According to police, officers responded to the area after hearing multiple gunshots. When officers arrived they found Young suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
He was taken to the hospital where he later died.
Young’s friend Andy Williams was at the Brentwood Recreation Center for a softball practice with his children with the shots rang out.
"He (the officers) unloaded one clip and changed clips and unloaded again. He had a duffel bag and squared up on him, like what? Quan must of tried to run because that’s when we heard the shots,” he recalled.
Young’s family lives about five blocks away.
“We heard it like it wouldn’t stop for a long time,” recalled his sister Monica Woods. “My son came down and said 'Quan got shot' and started crying.”
“He was running for his life at that point and this man was still shooting at that kid, “ said Williams. “You’re an officer at some point your compassion should kick in, like that’s a human being. I don’t know what took place. I know Quan had a gun on him. He’s been victimized a lot. He’s been shot twice. You tell him 'freeze, get your hands up.' You draw your weapon, if he tries to engage you, OK then, you shoot him but you taking cover and shooting like some street stuff.”
"He's got a daughter, a 4-year-old and how are we going to explain it to her? A cop is someone she’s supposed to look up to and feel as though she can run to him to protect her,” cried his sister. “A cop killed her father. Like how do you explain that do a 4-year-old?”
During their investigation, police learned that the off-duty officer involved in the shooting was on his way to a cookout in the area. Police said the officer was the only one to exchange gunfire with Young, using his service weapon.
As of Friday morning, police have yet to speak with the officer but said his lawyer will make him available for an interview.
Officials are now reviewing surveillance video from cameras in the area.
The officer was hired in December 2016 and was assigned to the 7th district.
