On October 18, 2021, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department went to an apartment on Congress Street in Southeast Washington, D.C., to serve a temporary protection order related to an alleged threat from Deandre Johnson, 30. Police say a struggle began when officers moved to arrest Johnson; one officer’s body-worn camera was briefly deactivated during the encounter. Authorities report Johnson resisted and tried to grab an officer’s holstered firearm, and Officer Juwan Jefferson fired two shots into Johnson’s back. The entire encounter lasted less than a minute and Johnson died at the scene.

After the shooting, body-camera footage was released, the involved officers were placed on administrative leave, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office opened an independent criminal investigation. Johnson’s family, community members and Black Lives Matter D.C. held vigils, questioned the official account and demanded the firing of the officer who shot him. No gun was recovered from the apartment. If anyone witnessed the incident or has relevant information, please come forward.