DC Police Shoot Man Following Domestic Complaint in Palisades Area of NW
Metropolitan Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Andre Wright briefs the press after officers shot and killed a man in the Palisades neighborhood of NW Washington, D.C. on September 16, 2025. Two knives were recovered on the scene after the man lunged toward police with the weapons and was shot.
District police officers shot and killed a man armed with two knives Tuesday afternoon in the city’s Palisades neighborhood after repeated attempts to subdue him with commands and a stun gun, officials said.
Executive Assistant Chief Andre Wright told reporters that the confrontation began around 11 a.m. when Second District officers were called to a domestic disturbance in the 5100 block of Sherier Place NW. Family members reported that an adult male relative had threatened to damage vehicles at the home and fled before officers arrived.
Shortly after noon, as officers interviewed relatives and prepared a report, the man returned carrying two knives and charged toward the officers, Wright said. Police shouted multiple commands for him to drop the weapons and fired a stun gun twice, but it was unclear whether the electric shocks took effect.
“The officers showed great restraint and great patience,” Wright said, noting that both officers repeatedly issued loud verbal commands for several minutes while the man ran erratically. “Unfortunately, the subject charged the officers with the knife in his hand, leaving the officers no choice but to use their service weapon.”
Both officers fired their service weapons, striking the man at least once. D.C. Fire and EMS personnel were called immediately, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers or bystanders were injured.
Wright said the knives were recovered and that there was blood on them, though no one else was hurt. He said the man’s behavior was “erratic and illogical,” but it was too early to say whether he suffered from mental health issues.
The man’s name and his exact relationship to the family were not immediately released.
As is standard protocol, the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave while the D.C. police Internal Affairs Division investigates. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will conduct an independent review. Wright said body-camera footage will be released in accordance with department policy and after consultation with the man’s family.
“This is yet another reminder of the daily dangers that our officers face protecting the residents of the District of Columbia,” Wright said.
Metropolitan Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Andre Wright briefs the press after officers shot and killed a man in the Palisades neighborhood of NW Washington, D.C. on September 16, 2025. Two knives were recovered on the scene after the man lunged toward police with the weapons and was shot.Metropolitan Police Department officers shot and killed a man in the Palisades neighborhood of NW Washington, D.C. on September 16, 2025. Two knives were recovered on the scene after the man lunged toward police with the weapons and was shot.Metropolitan Police Department officers shot and killed a man in the Palisades neighborhood of NW Washington, D.C. on September 16, 2025. Two knives were recovered on the scene after the man lunged toward police with the weapons and was shot.Metropolitan Police Department officers shot and killed a man in the Palisades neighborhood of NW Washington, D.C. on September 16, 2025. Two knives were recovered on the scene after the man lunged toward police with the weapons and was shot.Metropolitan Police Department officers shot and killed a man in the Palisades neighborhood of NW Washington, D.C. on September 16, 2025. Two knives were recovered on the scene after the man lunged toward police with the weapons and was shot.Metropolitan Police Department officers shot and killed a man in the Palisades neighborhood of NW Washington, D.C. on September 16, 2025. Two knives were recovered on the scene after the man lunged toward police with the weapons and was shot.Metropolitan Police Department officers shot and killed a man in the Palisades neighborhood of NW Washington, D.C. on September 16, 2025. Two knives were recovered on the scene after the man lunged toward police with the weapons and was shot.Metropolitan Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Andre Wright briefs the press after officers shot and killed a man in the Palisades neighborhood of NW Washington, D.C. on September 16, 2025. Two knives were recovered on the scene after the man lunged toward police with the weapons and was shot.Metropolitan Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Andre Wright briefs the press after officers shot and killed a man in the Palisades neighborhood of NW Washington, D.C. on September 16, 2025. Two knives were recovered on the scene after the man lunged toward police with the weapons and was shot.
