An unnamed Metropolitan Police Department officer fatally shot a man reportedly holding a firearm on Tuesday night in Washington, D.C., according to law enforcement officials.
“It appears it is possible [the firearm was an airsoft gun],” Contee told a reporter. He added that the department was unsure about the specifics related to the alleged firearm.
“That’s not the condition that it was in when it was displayed to officers,” Contee said of the photo of the gun posted to social media. “This weapon looks very real. It appears to be some type of airsoft rifle, perhaps a paint gun.”
At least one officer shot at Watson, to whom officials then rendered aid, according to the MPD. Watson and an unnamed MPD officer were transported to a hospital to be treated for gunshot wounds, where Watson died of his injuries, Contee said.
Contee said he didn’t know whether the officer’s gunshot wound was sustained from the suspected paintball gun. Officers involved in the incident were placed on leave and body camera footage is under review, according to the MPD.
The MPD did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
