WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced after an intense investigation, ATF Washington Field Division took the suspect of multiple shootings into custody at approximately 2:30 a.m. ATF Special Agents located him in the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Ave. Southeast in Washington, D.C.
The suspect, 30 year-old Gerald Brevard III, was transported by ATF Special Agents to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch for questioning in five shootings targeting homeless men in D.C. and New York City over the past two weeks.
The takedown was caught on video.
“We are relieved to have this suspect in custody and off our streets,” said ATF Washington Field Division Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson. “This investigation was our primary focus and we worked closely with our law enforcement partners in D.C. and New York City bringing all of our respective investigative skills and unique capabilities to this case. The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) was particularly crucial in this investigation, allowing us to quickly match ballistic evidence connecting all five shootings to the same firearm. We are also thankful to our community members who provided tips to law enforcement during this investigation.”
MPD announces an arrest has been made in reference to three shooting offenses that occurred in the Fifth District between March 3-9, 2022.
Thank you to all who assisted in making DC safer with this arrest!
Release: https://t.co/J2q7Avaz5U pic.twitter.com/OAzQXtpyf4
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) March 15, 2022
Family members told local media they were shocked by the arrest and that Brevard suffered from mental illness.
According to WNBC, ‘Brevard had previous contact with the D.C. Department of Behavioral Health, Director Dr. Barbara Bazron said at the news conference Tuesday. He was enrolled at a service agency in 2018 and was a patient at St. Elizabeths Hospital, the District’s public psychiatric facility, the following year, she said. He underwent a competency assessment at St. Elizabeths related to criminal charges and was found to be competent, she said.’
Officials have not revealed a possible motive for the crimes.
