A shooting broke out in southeastern Washington, D.C., on Wednesday morning, and a Metro employee named Robert Cunningham tragically lost his life. At least three people were injured as well, and the suspect is in custody.
The Shooting Began With A Metrobus Altercation
The incident went down at the Potomac Avenue Metro station, and it all started with an argument that began on a Metrobus, according to NBC4 Washington.
Apparently, the gunman followed the first victim off the bus and proceeded to shoot them in the legs. The shooter then made their way onto the platform and soon made contact with another person buying a Metrocard, who was also shot in the leg and dragged over the turnstile.
A third person was approached by the assailant when Robert Cunningham, a mechanic, intervened. In the process, the 64-year-old transit employee was shot and killed.
Thankfully, the shooting spree was put to an end shortly thereafter, and the suspect was apprehended by authorities.
The three surviving victims were treated at a nearby hospital. Two of them were treated for leg injuries, while the third received treatment on their finger.
Witness Says Shooter Referred To Himself As ‘The Killmonger’: ‘I’m Lucky To Be Alive’
A witness who was at the scene of the shooting spoke to DC News Now reporter Joseph Olmo, and he recalled the gunman referring to himself as “the Killmonger.”
“He runs behind me and said, ‘You’ll be safe today. I’m the Killmonger.'”
The witness then described the incident as a “mass shooting,” and the gunman was “shooting anybody on-site” rather than targeting specific individuals.
He noted, “I’m lucky to be alive.”
“I’M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE”: A witness tells me 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. pic.twitter.com/7MPLBL9MXT
— Joseph Olmo (@ReporterJoseph) February 1, 2023
Robert Cunningham Is Remembered For His ‘Heroic’ Last Action
In the wake of the incident, Robert was remembered as “a heroic employee” in a statement from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
“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.”
While addressing reporters, Ashan Benedict—executive assistant chief of police for the Metro Transit Police Department—remarked, “His heroism has to be recognized today.”
UPDATE: @DCPoliceDept and @wmataGM confirm the person shot and killed today at Potomac Ave station was a Metro Transit employee who tried to help de-escalate the situation. Called the employee "a hero".
— Jummy Olabanji (@JummyNBC) February 1, 2023
There are no further updates on the situation at this time, and we send our condolences to Robert Cunningham’s family.
