According to D.C. Witness data, there were seven reported homicides killing an equal number of victims in November. Out of those reported incidents, three were officer related shootings: two involved Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers fatally wounding suspects and one involved a suspect allegedly killing one National Guard officer and wounding another.
On Nov. 17, according to court documents, MPD officers were patrolling the 4700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE after multiple reports of sounds of gunfire in the area. While patrolling, they encountered David Childs, 25, who had a firearm tucked into his waistband.
Officers issued multiple commands to stop, according to police documents, but Childs refused to comply and reached into his waist band. Officers shot Childs and he was pronounced dead by emergency responders at the scene.
According to MPD, all officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave and the Internal Affairs Bureau is independently reviewing the incident.
Likewise, on Nov. 14, officers responded to a call from a beneficiary of a civil protection order at the 4400 block of Reservoir Street, NW. When reaching the residence, the officers saw Kevin Booker, 41, inside the residence and made several attempts to get Booker to exit the residence.
An MPD investigation prior to what became a fatal encounter revealed Booker violated another civil protection order in the same building. Based on this information, MPD arrested Booker.
In the new encounter, officers eventually entered the residence and announced their presence. Booker allegedly lunged at officers with a knife and screwdriver in his hands when officers fatally shot him. Booker was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
According to MPD, all officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave and the Internal Affairs Bureau is independently reviewing the incident.
On Nov. 26, police allege while National Guard officers were patrolling the intersection of 17th and I Street NW, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, shot and injured two National Guard officers. Of the two officers shot, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at a hospital. Another National Guard officer shot Lakanwal who required hospitalization
Lakanwal is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm. He’s been denied release and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 14, 2026.
