U.S. Census Bureau security guard, Lawrence Buckner, died Thursday evening after being shot when approaching a couple fighting in a car near a gate.
Erika Murray, the spokeswoman of the Prince George Hospital Center in Cheverly, Maryland, confirmed his death as 7:19 p.m. ET, according to USA Today.
The start of the incident leading to the shooting at the Census Bureau began when a car arrived at the gate that had a man inside whom police said kidnapped a woman in a domestic dispute.
As soon as the security guard approached the car, where the man and woman were arguing inside, he was shot by gunfire coming from inside of the vehicle.
Police then pursued the car that matched a description of the kidnap suspect’s automobile, into the District where the suspect in the car started firing at the police. Again, the suspect fled from the scene that finally ended at a third location in Northeast Washington near Union Station, when police were able to block the vehicle. The continue gunfire led to the shooting of a police sergeant, as well as return fire that shot the suspect.
Although D.C. police Chief Cathy Lanier was able to confirm that the suspect was in custody, information as to the exact condition of the wounded suspect and officer were brief. It was released that the officer’s wounds were not life-threatening and that the suspect was conscious at the time of his apprehension.
Police also shared that the woman was located around the time of the shootout in D.C. and was safe and unharmed.
After the incident at the Census Bureau, around 7:45 p.m., all of the entrances were completely closed off and armed heavily as armored tactical teams and sharpshooters moved in to the complex.
The Census Bureau emitted a statement shortly after acknowledging that there had been “an incident” and that it was not terrorism-related. They also added that there is an ongoing investigation.
“We are committed to the safety of all staff who work at the Census Bureau and are currently making sure that everyone is safe and secure,” the statement said.
