Video: D.C. Police Cruiser Crash Becomes Clash with Knife-Wielding Driver
A crash with a Washington, D.C., police cruiser last week turned into a deadly shooting as a man with a knife threatened officers following the collision.
The incident happened shortly after 6 p.m. Feb. 18 when a D.C. police officer's cruiser struck a vehicle driven by Surafel Zerihun, WUSA-TV reports. In recently released body camera footage, an agitated Zerihun is seen confronting the officer while he's still in his cruiser.
"What's your problem? I'm in my lane," he says.
It's not clear what makes the officer draw his gun, but a struggle ensues between the two men. The officer orders Zerihun to back up and tells him he doesn't want to shoot him.
"Give me the f---ing gun," Zerihun replies.
The officer opens fire, and Zerihun falls after being shot. The officer finally gets out of the cruiser, and he radios a report of shots fired.
By then, Zerihun begins advancing on the officer, who continues to back away from the suspect. More officers reach the scene, and Zerihun enters a different police cruiser.
The suspect refuses to exit the vehicle or drop his knife as more backup arrives at the scene. Zerihun finally bolts from the cruiser, and a foot chase ensues. Shots are fired, and Zerihun was fatally struck.
