Police Release Name of Man Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 14, 2018
Featured | Homicides | Victims |

During a press conference June 13, Metropolitan Police Department Chief of Police Peter Newsham discussed the details of a police-involved shooting that left one man dead.

According to Newsham, on June 12 two uniformed patrol officers entered an alley and approached a group of individuals on the 3700 block of First Street, SE. Upon seeing the officers, the individuals fled and the officers pursued them.

During the chase one of the individuals, Marqueese Alston, opened fire. Newsham said the officers opened fire in an effort to “save their lives.” Alston was pronounced dead on the scene.

The police chief said Alston, 22, used an illegal semi-automatic gun. Apparently, Alston also had an extended magazine with ammunition. Furthermore, Newsham said Alston was wearing a court-ordered Global Positioning System (GPS), which tracked his movement. Alston wore the GPS device because it was part of his 2016 sentence for a carjacking.

When asked about feelings of mistrust for the police in the community, Newsham said the “overwhelming majority” of the community is “very trusting” of the police. Even so, the department works to gain trust by focusing on accuracy and transparency.

The officers involved wore body cameras that were turned on. After reviewing the cameras, the Mayor’s office will decide if the video will be released to the public.

The two officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues, according to a press release.