1 dead, 3 injured in shooting at Potomac Ave Metro Station in Southeast DC

Metro employee shot and killed today was 64 year old Robert Cunningham. A mechanic in Metro’s power department. He is being hailed as a hero for stepping in to help a customer who was being threatened with a gun.

Police say Robert Cunningham intervened to help a young woman being threatened by the gunman when he was shot. He was a mechanic in Metro’s power department.

The Potomac Avenue Metro station is still closed but police have taken down the crime scene tape and opened up the area around it above ground. One officer tells me it will likely open later this afternoon at some point.

Metro releases statement on Potomac Avenue shooting:

Metro is mourning the loss of a heroic employee, Robert Cunningham, who intervened on behalf of a customer today at Potomac Avenue Station and was a victim of senseless gun violence. Mr. Cunningham was 64 years old and a mechanic in our power department. In his remembrance, Metro has lowered its flags to half-staff during this time of grief.

Below are statements issued by the Metro Board of Directors and General Manager/Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke Cunningham.:

We understand that the employee acted with extreme bravery to help a customer who was being threatened by the shooter. To the family of the Metro employee, please accept our sincerest condolences. The Board is working with management to support the Metro family.

Statement from General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke:

Today, I feel profound sadness about the loss of our Metro family member, Robert Cunningham. We grieve for our employee, his family, and all who have been affected by this senseless tragedy. I appreciate the outpouring of support Metro has received today. Gun violence must stop. Unfortunately, Metro is not immune to the violence that our country is experiencing right now. These senseless acts must be addressed together by our leaders and community. We will take time to process this loss and take care of our employees. We are all hurting and will continue to lean on each other for support.

Wednesday, a Metro worker was shot and killed on the platform of a D.C. train station as he tried to stop a gunman who had already shot and hurt several other people.

Executive Assistant Chief of Police Ashan M. Benedict stated at a press conference that the event began with an altercation on a Metrobus near 14th Street and Potomac around 9:00 a.m.

Benedict reported that a person with a firearm engaged random passengers on the bus, followed one of them off, and then shot them in the leg.

The shooter proceeded to enter the Potomac Avenue Metro station, where they descended the escalator to the station platform and confronted a passenger who was attempting to purchase a Metro card. Benedict stated that the shooter attempted to drag the victim over the turnstile at the faregate after shooting them. However, the victim was able to free himself and get away.

The shooter then confronted a woman who was thought to be a client after going farther down the escalator. According to Benedict, a Metro transport employee who witnessed the incident and tried to step in to stop it was shot and killed by the gunman.

The suspect was then approached by a second Metro transport employee before being taken into custody by law enforcement officers. During this time, the suspect entered and left a train that was halted at the platform.

Randy Clarke, the CEO and general manager of Metro, referred to the event as “an terribly sad day” and stated that additional details surrounding the employee who was killed would be made public.

“I just want to send my deep condolences to the Metro family,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser at the scene Wednesday. “We don’t know a lot about this shooter at this moment – other than we had a person with a gun who has created yet another tragedy in our city. We will work hand-in-hand with Metro to complete this investigation as we move forward.”

Original Report:

Three people were shot at the Potomac Ave Metro station. Police say one man was found unconscious and not breathing and two other men were both conscious and breathing.

DC Police Department are on the scene of a shooting at Potomac Avenue Station. One victim with gunshot wound confirmed, one suspect in custody. Blue/Orange/Silver line service suspended between Federal Center SW and Minnesota Ave / Benning Rd.

Service Disruption. WMATA MetroRail Orange, Blue, Silver Lines, SE. Washington, DC. Per WMATA: Train service is suspended between Federal Center, SW and Minnesota Avenue/Benning Road due to police investigation at Potomac Avenue. Shuttles requested. Extended closure expected.

Potomac Ave station remains closed for an active police investigation. For your safety, please use other nearby Metro stations, like Stadium-Armory & Eastern Market. Shuttle bus service is available to customers with train service suspended.

DC Police Department tell FOX3 there are at least 3 victims.

All adult males.

Police chief and Mayor heading to the scene.

One person is in custody after a female tackled him on the platform at Potomac ave station. One person is Pdoa another is shot in the leg.

A man is being walked away in handcuffs outside of the Potomac Ave Metro station.

“I’M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE”: A witness told FOX3 that this shooting started on a bus, and continued down into the Potomac Ave Metro Station.

He said the shooter appeared to be firing at random & referred to himself as a “kill-monger”. Witness did not want to be on cam.

MTPD is currently working a shooting at Potomac Ave station. Train service is currently suspended as this investigation continues.

This is a developing story that will be updated when more information is available.

---