On Wednesday morning during the commute in Washington, D.C., a man shot and killed a transit worker and wounded two other people near a Metro station.
The suspect, Isaiah Trotman, was taken into custody and arrested on charges of first-degree murder while armed, kidnapping while armed, and assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to Metropolitan Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Ashan Benedict, the incident occurred around 9 a.m. The suspect, who was riding a Metro bus, was "engaging" other passengers and "brandishing" a weapon. He eventually followed a passenger off the bus and shot him in the legs, causing non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect then went down to the Potomac Avenue Metro station where he shot another person in the leg, who eventually freed himself, before engaging a woman on the platform.
The first transit employee, Robert Cunningham, attempted to "intervene to protect the young lady" but was immediately shot and declared dead on the scene. The second employee engaged the shooter and de-escalated the situation, sustaining a hand injury in the process. The suspect eventually got on a train and was "walking around, brandishing a firearm and randomly engaging people in conversation."
However, due to the heroic actions of "other individuals" in the station, the suspect was tackled and disarmed. Benedict commended the actions of the citizens, stating that "I think they saved lives and that's to be commended." He also noted that the fact that citizens had to intervene with an armed gunman was disturbing, but appreciated the officers' quick response and the successful disarmament.
The investigation is still ongoing to determine the suspect's motives and intent. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families, and we hope for a quick resolution to this tragedy.
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