2 DC Security Officers Critical After Attack at National Shrine
Washington DC December 11th 2019
Two security officers have been violently attacked in our nation’s capital this morning and both are in critical condition.
The attacked occurred Tuesday morning at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast D.C., and police are now in a Northwest D.C. neighborhood where the suspect has barricaded himself inside a home.
The incident began in the parking lot of the National Shrine when a male driver pulled into the lot and intentionally struck a female security officer, police sources said.
The driver also struck several cars in the lot.
Then he got out of the car and chased a male security guard into the Shrine, where he stabbed him multiple times.
Officers received a call shortly before 9:15 a.m. Tuesday about the incident at the National Shrine, which is located in the 400 block of Michigan Avenue NE.
The security officer who was stabbed is in grave condition and the female security officer is listed in critical condition.
A short time later, the suspect’s vehicle was found near Georgia Avenue and Sheridan Street NW, in the Brightwood neighborhood.
The suspect currently is barricaded inside a home there in the 1300 block of Sheridan Street NW, about three miles northwest of the National Shrine.
A team of heavily armed officers is on the scene.
Streets are closed within about a two-block radius.
“The suspect is believed to be known to the victims,” a statement from the National Shrine said in part. No visitors or guests were harmed, the statement said.
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Roman Catholic church in North America and is adjacent to The Catholic University of America. Pope Francis visited in September 2015. At least six Masses are celebrated there daily.
