A shooting incident involving a U.S. Marshal occurred outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor in Washington, DC.
According to Daily Mail, an 18-year-old suspect, Kentrell Flowers, was shot by U.S. Marshals after attempting to carjack a federal bodyguard of Justice Sotomayor.
The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the early morning incident, which took place on July 5. Flowers was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and subsequently arrested.
According to police reports, Kentrell Flowers approached a Deputy U.S. Marshal sitting in his car and pointed a handgun at him in an attempt to steal the vehicle. The suspect exited a vehicle and approached one of the Marshals, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
"The suspect exited a vehicle, approached one of the Marshals, and pointed a handgun at him in an apparent attempt to carjack him," a DC Metropolitan Police Department press release stated. "The Marshal drew his service weapon and fired several shots at the suspect. A second Marshal from another vehicle also responded and fired his service weapon."
Flowers faces multiple charges, including armed carjacking, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device. The incident took place on 11th Street in northwest DC, where Justice Sotomayor owns a condo.
Police recovered the black and silver Smith & Wesson 40VE handgun allegedly used by Flowers during the attempted carjacking. The first Marshal involved in the shooting was identified as 'Deputy U.S. Marshal Black,' while the second officer's name was not disclosed. The U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that the officers involved were part of Sotomayor's protection team but did not provide further details about their identities.
The shooting is currently under investigation by the PD's Internal Affairs Division Force Investigations Team. The case will also be independently reviewed by the United States Attorney's Office.
The incident is part of a broader trend of high-profile car-related thefts in Washington, DC. On November 12, 2023, Secret Service agents fired on two teens fleeing after stealing gear from a vehicle used by President Joe Biden's granddaughter Naomi. Additionally, Congressman Henry Cuellar was carjacked at gunpoint near his DC home last October. DC police reported over 900 carjackings and more than 6,000 stolen vehicles in 2023, highlighting a surge in such crimes.
The rise in carjackings has sparked political and community backlash. DC council member Brianne Nadeau is facing a recall motion for supporting the Defund the Police movement. A group campaigning for Nadeau's recall has cited significant increases in homicides, assaults with dangerous weapons, and motor vehicle thefts in 2023.
"The Complainant pulled out his department-issued firearm and fired approximately four times at Defendant Flowers through the window, striking Flowers in the mouth," the July 5 filing noted. "The Complainant provided first aid to Flowers while the silver van fled the scene traveling northbound on 11th Street Northwest."
The U.S. Marshals Service emphasized the importance of protecting the residences of U.S. Supreme Court justices, although specific details of protective operations remain confidential. "As a general practice, the U.S. Marshals don't discuss specifics of protective details," a USMS spokeswoman told DailyMail.com. "USMS does not disclose the names of personnel involved in shooting incidents until all investigations are complete."
The shooting incident outside Justice Sotomayor's home underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in Washington, DC. With rising carjackings and heightened political tensions, the city continues to grapple with issues of public safety and crime prevention. The investigation into the incident involving Kentrell Flowers is ongoing, and multiple law enforcement agencies are involved in reviewing the case. As DC residents express concerns over safety, the debate over policing and community protection remains a contentious topic.
