Go here for new information released by police on Tuesday.
A woman was killed when a woman carjacker stole an SUV at MedStar Washington Hospital Center on Monday afternoon and then crashed into a building in downtown D.C., police say. The victim was in the SUV as a passenger when the carjacker jumped in and drove off.
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Leslie Marie Gaines, of Northeast D.C., was the victim, police said in an update. She was 55.
Metropolitan Police Department Asst. Chief Darnel Robinson called the crime a “tragic event.”
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“Our condolences are with the family at this time,” he said at a news conference.
The Gaines and her adult child had just pulled up to MedStar Washington Hospital Center when the thief jumped in and drove off with the senior still inside, police said. They were in the 100 block of Irving Street at about 1:15 p.m.
The thief crashed into a building at 6th and D streets NW, police said. The intersection is steps from the DC Court of Appeals and nearly 3 miles south of the carjacking scene.
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News4 video shows a white SUV with significant damage to the front end. Crumbled building materials and car parts can be seen on the ground.
An officer saw the crash, went to investigate and saw the driver get out of the SUV and try to run. He was able to catch her, Robinson said. Police did not immediately release the suspect’s name.
Gaines was taken to a hospital in critical condition and pronounced dead.
Police said they're still working with prosecutors to determine charges against the car thief.
D.C. saw carjackings more than double in 2023. In 2024 thus far, carjackings are down 33% compared to the same period last year, MPD data shows. Police say 69% of the crimes involve guns, 68% involve juveniles and 90% of arrestees report to be D.C. residents.
Editor’s note (Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 11:35 a.m.): Police initially described the victim as an elderly woman. They said in an update that she was 55.
Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.
