A retired police lieutenant reportedly shot and killed a police officer during training at a Washington, D.C., library Thursday afternoon. It’s unclear how or why the shooting happened, DC Police Chief Robert J. Contee said during a press conference.
Authorities responded to a reported shooting at the Anacostia Library around 3:30 p.m. and found the female library employee suffering from a gunshot wound, Contee said. He was taken to a local hospital where he died.
The shooting came at the end of the training class for ASP Batons, which Contee described as an expanding baton. The training was being held in a room in the basement of the library, Contee said, adding that about six people were in the room at the time of the shooting. The lieutenant leading the training, who retired from the D.C. Police Department two years ago, reportedly fired the fatal shot.
Contee said it’s unclear why there was a loaded gun in the training. The retired lieutenant was taken to the homicide office for questioning. Authorities are still unsure how or why the shooting happened, the police chief added.
“Again it’s a very tragic situation that we’re dealing with here and our condolences go out to the deceased library police officer and their entire service,” Contee said.
The police chief did not identify the victim or the suspect.
Sophie Reardon
