Representative Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) was kidnapped at gunpoint Monday outside his apartment building in Washington, DC, according to his office.
The 68-year-old south Texas lawmaker was uninjured during the incident in DC’s trendy Navy Yard neighborhood at about 9:32 p.m., according to the DC Metropolitan Police Department.
“As Congressman Cuellar was parking his car this afternoon, 3 armed assailants approached the Congressman and stole his vehicle,” Cuellar’s Chief of Staff Jacob Hochberg told The Post.
“Fortunately, he was not injured and is cooperating with local law enforcement. Thank you to Metro PD and Capitol Police for their swift action and recovery of the Congressman’s vehicle.”
Cuellar was reportedly outside a “dormitory building where dozens” of House members live, according to Axios reporter Andrew Solenderwhich cited a group chat used by lawmakers occupying the building.
Cuellar speaks to reporters outside the West Wing after a bipartisan meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, in Washington, DC on September 13, 2017.AP
Three men reportedly held a gun to Cuellar’s head as they took his phone and vehicle, which was parked in the street, according to a group chat.
An MPD crime alert on the incident says police are looking for “three black males wearing black clothing” who made off with the congressman’s white Honda CHR with a Texas tag.
The alert warns the public to “take no action” and instead call 911 if a vehicle or suspect is spotted.
Cuellar speaks during a campaign event on May 4, 2022, in San Antonio. AP
Capitol Police told The Post that the armed carjacking is being investigated by DC police and USCP investigators.
“Injuries were not reported. Detectives are working to locate the suspect,” said a USCP spokesperson.
The incident is the latest in a series of violent crimes in the District this year that have affected members of Congress or their staff.
The 68-year-old south Texas lawmaker was unharmed during the incident in DC’s trendy Navy Yard neighborhood.AP
In February, Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) was attacked in the elevator of her northeast DC apartment building by a homeless man in a long bandage. He suffered bruises from the attack and escaped by throwing his hot morning coffee at the attackers.
The following month, a staffer for Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was brutally attacked in broad daylight by a knife-wielding assailant in DC, on the same street where Craig was attacked.
The employee, Phillip Todd, 26, suffered serious injuries in the attack, including multiple stab wounds to the head and chest.
In June, a staffer for Rep. Brad Finstad (R-Minn.) was attacked at gunpoint near Nationals Park in Washington, DC, just hours after the end of the annual Congressional Baseball Game.
The staff member suffered minor injuries in the attack, which took place in the same neighborhood where Cuellar was kidnapped.
To date, 750 car thefts have been reported in DC this year alone, with 75% involving firearms.
That’s a 115% increase in the number of carjackings from this time last year, according to DC police crime statistics.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
