DC police identify man wanted for ditching gun that went off, killed investigator retrieving it

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) identified the man wanted for disposing of a gun in a storm drain that accidentally went off while an officer was retrieving it, killing the officer .

Around 5:40 p.m. on Aug. 28, officers from MPD’s Robbery Suppression Unit were canvassing the 4500 block of Quarles St. NE when they saw a man, whom they said Tuesday was Tyrell Lamonte Bailey, 27, exit a suspicious car.

Officers said they tried to make contact with Bailey, but he took off, running towards southbound I-295, and jumping down from a retaining wall. Officers then saw him place a gun in a storm drain before he left the area on the back of a motorcycle. Police have since identified and located the driver of the bike.

During the investigation, Wayne David, an MPD investigator, went to recover the gun from the storm drain. The gun accidentally fired, striking David. He died from his injuries at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Police said Bailey is 5’6″ tall and weighs around 180 lbs. He also has tattoos on the entire length of his arms.

Bailey is wanted on a DC Superior Court arrest warrant for unlawful possession of a firearm.

MPD is offering a reward of up to $20,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

In partnership with MPD, the FBI is offering $20,000, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is offering $10,000 and the United States Marshals Service is offering $10,000.

The total possible reward amount is $60,000, an increase from the previous reward of $50,000.

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