Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier announced Thursday the arrest of the driver of a getaway car in last week’s quadruple shooting at North Capitol Street and New York Avenue in Northwest.
Kevin Antonio Cole, 26, was charged with assault with intent to kill in the June 8 shooting that left four people injured, Chief Lanier said during a press conference at police headquarters. The gunman is still at large.
“After the shooter approaches the victims on foot and opens fire, he hops into the car and leaves the scene,” Chief Lanier said. “Last night [we] were able to make an arrest of Kevin Antonio Cole.”
Surveillance cameras played a large role in identifying Mr. Cole as the driver, the police chief said.
“Fortunately, we were able to [use] a combination of multiple cameras in the area to include private cameras that were owned by individuals in our community and information that we’ve received to make one arrest,” she said.
The masked shooter, who opened fire on four people in front of Big Ben Liquor Store at about 2 p.m. on June 8, was targeting one person in particular, she said.
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Three wounded bystanders were transported to a hospital with minor injuries, but the targeted victim was shot several times and was transported in critical condition.
“We still have at least one person that’s in the hospital, in pretty serious condition from that shooting that day,” Chief Lanier said of the targeted individual.
Detectives are still investigating the identity and whereabouts of the gunman, and police hope that residents’ information and surveillance footage will lead detectives to the shooter.
“The individual that has been arrested is being presented in court today, and we’re hoping that we can get some additional tips from the community to help us track down and locate that one other person,” Chief Lanier said.
Mayor Muriel Bowser encouraged residents to take part in her initiative to buy surveillance cameras for their own property so that future arrests can be made quickly.
“The chief mentioned how helpful the video evidence was in having a quick arrest,” Miss Bowser said at the press conference. “And we’ll let folks know for businesses, churches, nonprofits, and residents, our security camera program is available so that if we have an incident, we can make a swift arrest.”
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The cameras used to identify Mr. Cole were not part of Miss Bowser’s initiative, but Chief Lanier cited this use of surveillance as a great illustration of what police work could look like if more video cameras were installed in the city.
“This is exactly what that program was created for,” Chief Lanier said. “We have case after case after case where private residences are helping us to solve these crimes, and this is just a perfect example of where that was key in this.”
Chief Lanier expressed optimism for her department’s progress, despite recent violence. Because of crucial information supplied by informants, a suspect in a homicide case from February and a suspect in a case involving seven robberies were both arrested Wednesday, she said.
Miss Bowser asked residents to continue helping police obtain information.
“The message I really want to leave with residents today is that our police have conducted a swift and thorough investigation, they have made an arrest, and this person has been charged,” the mayor said. “We need the public’s help in finding who we believe is responsible for the actual firing [of] the gun.”
• Emma Patton can be reached at epatton@washingtontimes.com.
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