Officer James Feltis, a 10-year veteran of the Pentagon Police Force, remains in critical condition after trying to stop a car near the Pentagon’s south parking lot. The car was stolen in Alexandria and was being pursued by Alexandria police officers at the time.
The incident began in the McDonald’s restaurant parking lot on N. Henry Street at around 8 a.m. on Tuesday. The victim, a 65-year-old Maryland man, was getting into his car when a suspect approached him. The suspect struck the victim, implied he had a weapon and then took the victim’s car.
Officers located the stolen car and began following it through Del Ray. When the suspect didn’t stop, Alexandria police officers pursued the suspect into S. Arlington and onto northbound I-395. The pursuit continued, with Alexandria officers being assisted by Virginia State troopers and a Fairfax County police helicopter. The suspect left I-395 near the Pentagon and struck Feltis who was on foot.
When the suspect continued driving, an Alexandria officer rammed the vehicle on the Washington Boulevard ramp. Then, Alexandria officers, State police officers and Pentagon police officers took the suspect into custody. While being taken into custody, the suspect grabbed a police officer’s weapon and shot himself in the leg. His injuries are not life threatening.
The suspect, a 22-year-old man with no fixed address, has been charged in Alexandria with robbery-carjacking.
Arlington
County police and Pentagon police are continuing their investigation and the suspect faces other charges.
Police are not releasing the suspect’s name pending verification of his identity by the FBI.