WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the release of body-worn camera videos by the US Park Police and Washington Metropolitan Police on Tuesday, the FBI and federal prosecutors have launched a civil rights investigation into the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Dalaneo Martin in Washington, DC. Martin was reportedly discovered sleeping in a vehicle that was allegedly stolen before the encounter with law enforcement on March 18.
The body-worn camera footage revealed the fatal encounter between Martin and the police officer involved in the shooting. Further details of the ongoing civil rights investigation have not been made public by authorities at this time.
According to police: On Saturday, March 18, 2023, at approximately 8:50 a.m., a United States Park Police (USPP) sergeant and officer responded to a request for assistance by Metropolitan Police Department officers on scene at 34th Street and Baker Street NE for a vehicle reported as stolen. While officers were attempting to detain the driver, the car fled from the scene with one USPP officer inside the car. A second officer, the USPP sergeant, was dragged by the fleeing car from outside the vehicle. The USPP officer inside the car gave verbal commands for the driver to stop. After the driver did not comply, the USPP officer discharged their firearm. The driver identified as 17-year-old Dalaneo Martin was pronounced dead on scene. A firearm was recovered inside the vehicle. Both USPP officers were transported to an area hospital for treatment.
