A shocking armed carjacking attempt that left a US congressional intern with a gunshot wound has sent ripples through the security apparatus of Washington DC. The violent incident occurred mere steps from the hallowed grounds of the US Capitol, a site already on high alert since the January 6th riots.
The victim, identified as a young intern working for a member of Congress, was targeted in the early hours of the morning in the 300 block of Massachusetts Avenue NE. This area, just a stone's throw from the Hart Senate Office Building, is typically bustling with political staffers and lawmakers.
Violent Ambush on Capitol Doorstep
According to Washington DC's Metropolitan Police Department, the assailant, 28-year-old Raymond Spencer of North Carolina, approached the intern's vehicle armed with a handgun and demanded they exit the car. What followed was a terrifying struggle for life and property.
"The suspect attempted to carjack the victim at gunpoint," a police spokesperson stated. "During the confrontation, the weapon was discharged, striking the victim once."
The wounded intern, showing remarkable presence of mind, managed to escape the immediate danger and alert authorities. Emergency services rushed to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital. Fortunately, the injuries, while serious, were not considered life-threatening.
Swift Police Response and Arrest
DC Police, in collaboration with US Capitol Police, launched an immediate manhunt. The swift response led to the apprehension of the suspected gunman, Raymond Spencer, who now faces a serious charge of assault with intent to rob.
The brazenness of the attack has raised urgent questions about security in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood, an area that houses not only government buildings but also the homes of countless political personnel. The incident serves as a stark reminder that violent crime can penetrate even the most heavily secured districts of the nation's capital.
An investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to piece together the full sequence of events that led to this alarming daylight attack.
