A D.C. police officer was shot and died of his injuries after he tried to retrieve a gun that someone threw into a storm drain on Wednesday in Northeast, authorities say.
Investigator Wayne David was the victim, Metropolitan Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll said at a news conference.
“Wayne is a true hero to the District of Columbia, and today he gave his life to serve the visitors and the residents here in the District of Columbia, and we will never forget that,” Carroll said.
David, 52, served on MPD for 25 years and had been a part of the Violent Crimes Suppression Division since 2007. He recovered hundreds of guns across the city, Carroll said. He earned several recognitions, including a Ribbon of Valor for responding to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, and four achievement medals.
He was a D.C. resident and is survived by his daughter, son, girlfriend and family.
“The impact of guns on our community is unbearable,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a statement honoring his life.
Bowser ordered all D.C. government buildings to fly their flags at half-staff, Chief Smith said Thursday.
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David was retrieving gun that suspect threw into storm drain, police say
Officers from MPD’s robbery suppression unit were canvassing the area of the 4500 block of Quarles Street NE at about 5:40 p.m. when they saw a suspect get out of a suspicious vehicle, police said. Officers tried to make contact with the man but he ran toward Interstate 295 southbound and jumped down a retaining wall.
Moments later, officers saw him stash a gun in a storm drain. He jumped onto the back of a motorcycle and was gone. It wasn’t immediately clear if he knew the motorcycle rider.
During the investigation, officers went to the storm drain to get the gun. The weapon went off and a bullet hit David.
Fellow officers tried to save his life and he was rushed to MedStar Washington Hospital Center using MPD’s helicopter. He was treated but did not survive.
The suspect is shown on surveillance camera images, police said. Anyone who can identify him or who has potentially relevant information is asked to contact police. MPD, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are offering a $50,000 reward for anyone who can provide information leading them to the person who discarded the gun.
Smith said Thursday that investigators were working to find not only the suspect but also the person who allowed him to jump onto the back of that motorcycle.
The ATF is assisting in the investigation.
Investigators have recovered the gun, but the serial had been scratched out, Smith said.
David worked with MPD’s Violent Crime Suppression Division
MPD’s Violent Crime Suppression Division takes a high visibility, interactive approach to fighting crime.
It’s one of the approaches citizens have asked for in troubled neighborhoods. As News4 heard from D.C. Chief of Police Pamela Smith in an interview earlier this year, it’s a point of emphasis for her.
“I looked at geographic areas around the District where we were seeing an uptick in robberies, carjackings and burglaries, and that was my focus,” Smith said. “I reassessed how we were utilizing our resources. I looked at the time of day and time of night where we were seeing the highest increase in crime, and I placed resources in those areas”
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Recent reductions in violent crimes have been partially attributed to this approach. But the higher number of interactions with violent offenders and repeat offenders add challenges to officers' dangerous duty to protect and serve.
As of June 30, 71 federal, state and local law enforcement officers had died in the line of duty in 2024, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Sixty-two officers died in the line of duty during the same period in 2023. Firearms incidents were the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths. Gunfire has killed 28 officers this year. Keith Williams was the last D.C. police officer who died in the line of duty, in June 2020.
Local police departments respond
Local police departments across the DMV mourned David and offered condolences to his family from Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
Prince George's County Police shared a statement to social media at 6 a.m. on Thursday.
"The PGPD family mourns with you on the loss of Investigator David," the statement reads. "We offer our deepest condolences to his family and the entire Metropolitan Police Department. His sacrifice will not be forgotten."
The Anne Arundel County police department sent support to David's loved ones in a statement posted to social media at 6:18 a.m. on Thursday.
"The Anne Arundel County Police Department extends our heartfelt condolences to the men and women of the Metropolitan Police Department on the loss of Investigator David. Our hearts remain with all his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time."
DC Fire and EMS shared a statement mourning David alongside their "brothers and sisters" on the MPD force.
"The DC Fire and EMS Department joins our brothers and sisters at @DCPoliceDept in mourning the loss of Officer Wayne David," the statement posted to X at 6:18 a.m. said. "Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and all the members of the Department, #DCsBravest."
The Montgomery County Police Department shared a statement at 9:42 a.m. Thursday sharing condolences for the MPD.
"#MCPD mourns the loss of @DCPoliceDept Investigator Wayne David, a 25-year veteran of the dept," the statement posted to X said. "We extend our deepest condolences to @DCPoliceDept, the family & friends of Inv. David. Inv. David made the ultimate sacrifice & his actions will never be forgotten. #MCPNews."
The Alexandria Sheriff's Department said its members were "heartbroken" for David's family and loved ones in a statement shared to X at 9:26 a.m. on Thursday.
"Sheriff Casey and members of the Alexandria Sheriff's Office extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of @DCPoliceDept Investigator Wayne David. We are heartbroken for his family and all who had the honor of serving with him."
Stay with News4 and NBCWashington.com for developments to this breaking story.
