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One person is dead and three others injured after a shooting spree that started at approximately 9:20 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1 inside a Metro Bus on Potomac Avenue, according to Executive Assistant Chief of Police Ashan Benedict, before the rampage rapidly escalated.
Officials said that the deadly rampage began on a Metro Bus on Wednesday morning when the shooter was brandishing a weapon and engaging passengers on the bus, one of whom he followed went he got off at his stop, though the intent is unclear.
After following his first victim for a short while, the assailant then shot at him, striking him in the leg before running down the escalator into the metro station.
That was just the first event of the violent morning.
According to Benedict, the shooter then got into an altercation with another rider who was purchasing a Metro Card, also resulting in him getting shot in the leg.
After his second incident, officials say that the shooter went further down the escalator, at which point he engaged with a woman at gunpoint, and “attempted to rob, or confront her,” which was witnessed by two Metro employees.
Benedict said that one of the employees attempted to intervene to protect the woman, but was immediately shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The second employee attempted to de-escalate the situation, and we believe he did so, because no one got shot,” he said. “The shooter got on and off the train, but we have taken him into custody and we’re confident we’ve got (him).”
Officials said that two people suffered gunshot wounds to the leg, one in the finger, though it is unclear where the Metro employee was struck, though they noted that "his heroism has to be recognized here today."
"It's an incredibly sad day here at Metro, and we appreciate the chief recognizing one of our employees who will always be known as a hero," Randy Clark, the GM of Metro, said. "He tried to intervene and help our customer who was under assault, and we appreciate the thoughts and prayers of everybody.
"It's been a tough day for us here."
Investigators have not identified the shooter or any of his victims. This is a developing story. Check Daily Voice for updates.
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