A DC Water employee died of a self-inflicted gunshot Tuesday afternoon outside the DC Water Headquarters at 125 O St. SE, according to police reports.
A utility services worker with the company called police to the scene shortly after 12:50 p.m. July 28, reporting that an armed man was in the area. According to the report, the two got in an argument. The armed man fired a shot at the other, striking a DC Water vehicle. The utility services worker was not injured.
Police found the man in an ading parking lot suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head. DC Fire Emergency Medical Services (DC FEMS) responded to the scene and and the man was declared dead on the scene.
In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, DC Water characterized the incident as a suicide. “This afternoon a DC Water employee took his own life outside the authority headquarters building at 1385 Canal Street SE,” read the statement. “We extend our condolences to the employee’s family and ask that the public respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
DC Water said that there were no other injuries associated with the event and water services were uninterrupted. Counselling services are being offered to the other affected employees.
The area was closed for approximately four hours to allow for the investigation.
