10 Officers Injured During Washington, D.C., Melee

At least 10 police officers were injured, one critically, when violence broke out in a largely Latino neighborhood after a man was shot during an arrest Sunday, officials said.

Five police cruisers were set afire and onlookers tossed bottles and pieces of brick at officers in Washington’s Mt. Pleasant area shortly after 7:30 p.m., when an unidentified man was shot in the chest as he scuffled with police, Lt. Reginald Smith said.

“An on-duty police officer was arresting several subjects. One of them began resisting arrest,” Smith said. “He got away briefly, and at one point he reached into his waistband and pulled out what looked like a large hunting knife and lunged at the officers.”

The man was handcuffed after being shot, he said.

“He had to be restrained. He had already shown complete disregard for the police,” Smith said.

The unidentified victim was listed in critical condition at a local hospital, Smith said.

As the arrest took place, onlookers became upset and began throwing objects at the officers. By 9:30 p.m., several hundred police officers had been called to the area to restore order.

Police said about 150 youths were involved in throwing rocks and bottles. Canisters of tear gas were shot into small crowds of people after they began shouting “Go home! Go home!” to the officers.

Smith said he did not know how many people were arrested. There were no immediate reports of property damage.

Police remained in the area after midnight.