Sidney Washington

The Washington Post's Fatal Force database records Sidney Washington in a fatal on-duty police shooting on 2016-07-04 in Washington, DC. Individual circumstances and legal outcome require case-specific review.

What happened

Sidney Washington Jr., 21, was killed by a Metro Transit Police detective near the Deanwood Metro station in Northeast Washington on July 4, 2016. Investigators said officers had been deployed amid reports of rival groups setting off fireworks when two detectives in an unmarked vehicle saw Washington fire a handgun toward a crowd near 49th and Quarles Streets. The U.S. Attorney's Office reported that one detective announced police presence, after which Washington fired at the detective's vehicle, striking the driver's door; the detective fired back. Prosecutors said Washington continued shooting after falling, prompting more police gunfire. A .45-caliber pistol and cartridge casings were recovered, and an autopsy identified multiple gunshot wounds. Following a review of eyewitness testimony, surveillance, ballistics, radio communications and medical evidence, federal and D.C. prosecutors announced in May 2017 that they would not file charges, determining the evidence insufficient to prove unlawful force and finding support for self-defense. These details reflect the prosecutors' reconstruction of the encounter.

Investigation & findings

Individual legal and investigative outcome not yet reviewed.

What happened

Investigation & findings

Sources & records