U.S. Attorney’s Office Concludes Investigation Into Fatal Shooting

            WASHINGTON - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced today that there is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights or District of Columbia charges against two officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) for their role in an October 19, 2023, fatal shooting involving a 33-year old District resident that occurred in the 2800 block of Naylor Road, S.E., Washington, D.C.

            The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the MPD Internal Affairs Division conducted a comprehensive review of the incident, which included a review of law enforcement and civilian accounts, crime-camera footage, BWC footage, physical evidence, recorded radio communications, forensic reports, the autopsy report, and reports from MPD.

            According to the evidence, at about 5:00 p.m. MPD officers were summoned to the 2800 block of Gainesville Street, S.E., for a report of a man with a gun made by a 911 caller. The officers observed a man matching the description given by the 911 caller and attempted to make contact with the individual. The individual ran from the police and a foot chased ensued. As the individual entered the backyard of a house in the 2800 block of Naylor Road, he turned and fired a handgun at the police. The officers, including MPD Officer Dallas Bennett, responded. Officer Bennett returned fire and another officer was struck during the exchange. As this was occurring, MPD Officer Jonathan Hasstedt approached the scene by running towards the front of the house. The individual emerged from the side area of the same house and pointed a gun at Officer Hasstedt, who then drew his weapon and shot the individual. The individual collapsed after running a few more feet. The police immediately initiated life-savings measures.  However, the individual was declared dead at the scene. Officer Bennett was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive his wounds.

            After a careful, thorough, and independent review of the evidence, federal prosecutors have found insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the MPD Officers Bennett and Hasstedt, both involved in the incident, are criminally liable for the death of the decedent.

Use-of-force investigations generally  

            The U.S. Attorney’s Office reviews all police-involved fatalities to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to conclude that any officers violated either federal criminal civil rights laws or District of Columbia law. 

            The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to investigating allegations of excessive force by law enforcement officers and will continue to devote the resources necessary to ensure that all allegations of serious civil rights violations are investigated fully and completely. The Metropolitan Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division investigates all police-involved fatalities in the District of Columbia.