Holly MatkinWashington, DC – An off-duty Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent fatally shot an armed suspect during a physical altercation inside the Metro Center station on Wednesday, according to police.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, WRC reported.
According to the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), 28-year-old Troy Bullock “pushed the FBI agent backwards over a railing on the platform” during an argument, The Washington Post reported.
Bullock also went over the railing, and both men hit the ground approximately eight feet below the Red Line platform.
They landed away from the tracks, police said.
The fight continued after they hit the ground, DCist reported.
The off-duty FBI agent ultimately pulled out a gun and fatally shot Bullock, according to The Washington Post.
Bullock was pronounced dead at the scene, DCist reported.
Executive Assistant Chief Ashan Benedict provides an update to the FBI Special Agent involved shooting that occurred at the Metro Center Station near 11th and G Streets, NW. pic.twitter.com/8Kr1g2v7ZZ
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) December 8, 2022
Police said Bullock was carrying a gun at the time of the shooting, but it is unclear whether the agent was aware he was armed, according to The Washington post.
The agent was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and remained hospitalized Thursday afternoon, DCist reported.
Police said he is a senior member of the FBI, but they did not release his identity.
Shooting at Metro Center. Just wheeled this man into the ambulance. #wmata #dc #metro pic.twitter.com/5C6TUayVsr
— Jaxson Whittle (@JaxsonWhittle) December 7, 2022
Details regarding what led up to the physical altercation were not immediately released, The Washington Post reported.
Police also did not disclose what specific threat the agent was facing when he fired his gun at Bullock.
Witness Lisa Crawford said other passengers began “running for their lives” after the sound of gunfire rang out inside the station, WRC reported.
Riders inside the train dropped to the ground to take cover.
“It was very scary,” Crawford said. “I have never seen anything like it.”
Witnesses said at least one train sped through the station without even stopping, The Washington Post reported.
Really grateful for the quick reaction & thoughtful attention by our rail operator tonight whose response during tonight’s police involved shooting at @wmata Metro Center kept customers from potential danger. Metro will be supporting @DCPoliceDept who is the lead investigator.
— Randy Clarke (Blue checkmark) (@wmataGM) December 8, 2022
Back on the platform, panicked commuters hid behind escalators or tried to escape from the area altogether.
The MPD is handling the ongoing investigation into the shooting.
The FBI released a statement saying the agency “takes any shooting incident involving or agents or task force members seriously,” and that internal investigators would review the incident, DCist reported.
Sandy Malone
