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Washington police are searching for a suspect they say attacked an officer with an ax.
The unprovoked attack happened around 3 a.m. Friday. The officer was sitting in a marked police vehicle when the man swung the ax and broke the driver's side window, said Officer Araz Alali, a police spokesman.
The officer who has not been identified, was not hit by the ax, but was being treated at a hospital for injuring his shoulder during a scuffle with the suspect. Police say the suspect left the ax behind and got away by foot.
Officer Alali said they are investigating if this incident is connected to the hatchet attack last week against the New York City police officers that were on patrol.
"At this point I don't see a connection, but whenever you have a crime that is similar, obviously we're going to cover all our bases and examine this thoroughly," Alali said.
Police are stilling searching for the suspect. They were last seen going door to door. D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said a motive in the attack remains unknown.
"While we do not have any information at this point on the motivation surrounding today's attack, this situation underscores the need to always maintain a very high level of situational awareness while we are working," Lanier said.
"Recent incidents targeting uniformed law enforcement officers in Quebec, New York City, and now to one our own here in Washington, D.C. are reminders that we must always be ready for any eventuality," Lanier added.
Stay tuned for the latest on this developing story.
The unprovoked attack happened around 3 a.m. Friday. The officer was sitting in a marked police vehicle when the man swung the ax and broke the driver's side window, said Officer Araz Alali, a police spokesman.
The officer who has not been identified, was not hit by the ax, but was being treated at a hospital for injuring his shoulder during a scuffle with the suspect. Police say the suspect left the ax behind and got away by foot.
Officer Alali said they are investigating if this incident is connected to the hatchet attack last week against the New York City police officers that were on patrol.
"At this point I don't see a connection, but whenever you have a crime that is similar, obviously we're going to cover all our bases and examine this thoroughly," Alali said.
Police are stilling searching for the suspect. They were last seen going door to door. D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said a motive in the attack remains unknown.
"While we do not have any information at this point on the motivation surrounding today's attack, this situation underscores the need to always maintain a very high level of situational awareness while we are working," Lanier said.
"Recent incidents targeting uniformed law enforcement officers in Quebec, New York City, and now to one our own here in Washington, D.C. are reminders that we must always be ready for any eventuality," Lanier added.
Stay tuned for the latest on this developing story.
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