Three police officers were shot during an hourslong standoff in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday while attempting to make an arrest related to an animal cruelty warrant. The suspect, identified as 46-year-old Julius James, refused to leave his home, leading to the standoff. The officers, who were hospitalized, are expected to recover from their gunshot wounds, according to authorities.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith stated that as officers tried to gain entry into the suspect’s residence, an individual inside opened fire. The shooter barricaded himself inside the southeast Washington home and continued sporadically firing shots for several hours.
After the prolonged standoff, Julius James was eventually apprehended and arrested on suspicion of cruelty to animals. Additional charges related to the shooting are expected to be filed against him. No attorney or contact information for James was available in public records at the time of writing.
One officer was struck by gunfire twice, but their bulletproof vest prevented serious injury. Two other officers sustained gunshot wounds to their lower legs, while a fourth officer suffered hand injuries during the incident.
Gregg Pemberton, chairman of the Washington, D.C., police union, expressed optimism that the injured officers would eventually return to duty, although some may require an extended recovery period. Pemberton also highlighted the need for stronger penalties for gun offenses in the nation’s capital, a sentiment echoed by Chief Smith.
The shooting and subsequent standoff prompted road closures, lockdowns in nearby schools, and warnings from the police to the public to stay away from the area. This incident occurs against the backdrop of a significant increase in violent crime in the District of Columbia, with a 39% rise reported in 2023. Homicides saw a 35% surge, while carjackings nearly doubled during the same period.
