A Metrobus driver was one of three people injured during a daylight gun battle outside the Anacostia Metro station Wednesday, D.C. police said.
Two gunmen, ages 17 and 18, were swiftly apprehended by D.C. police near the scene, but a third shooter got away, police said.
The audacious lunch-hour attack in the middle of a crowded and heavily policed intersection demonstrated the dangers looming over law enforcement officers patrolling the area, said Mayor Adrian Fenty.
One foot patrol officer was so close that he actually saw the gunfight as it unfolded, said Police Chief Cathy Lanier. While crowds scattered, the officers followed the gunfire on foot, Lanier said.
“Officers were in the right place at the right time and did what they do best,” Fenty said. He called the swift action of the officers heroic.
The shooting happened shortly after noon when a young man got off a Metrobus and started shooting, police said. Two men returned fired. One of the gunmen was struck in the arm, another was shot in the chest.
One of the bullets grazed the face of veteran bus driver who was operating a shuttle to the station because its elevator was broken, a Metro spokeswoman said.
The bus driver, who had worked for Metro since 1986, and the two suspects were expected to survive, police said.
Police believe the shooting was a continuation of an earlier dispute, said Cmdr. Joel Maupin.
“As soon as they saw each other, they pulled out their weapons,” Maupin said.
The Anacostia Metro station remained open, but the bus stop area outside the station was closed with crime-scene tape. Travelers grumbled after learning that buses were diverted to the Congress Heights Metro station.
Staff Writer Taryn Luntz contributed to this story.
