(PatriotPostNews.com) — A suspected carjacker was shot by federal authorities last week close to the home of Sonia Sotomayor, a Supreme Court justice.
18-year-old Kentrell Flowers was reportedly shot after “apparent[ly] attempt[ing] to carjack” United States marshals on Friday, July 5. The incident took place in Washington, D.C., on 11th Street. Police revealed that the shooting occurred on the 2100 block of that street, not far from Sotomayor’s residence.
The United States Marshals Service later verified that the officials involved were working on a unit that provides security for Supreme Court justices private residences. No further details related to their work were shared. The marshals were sitting in a parked government vehicle when a silver van approached shortly after one in the morning.
According to a complaint filed in federal court in the nation’s capital, Flowers climbed out of the van and approached the driver’s door. He then pointed a firearm into the driver’s window. One of the marshals—whose identity was not revealed to the public—fired four times at Flowers with his department-issued gun.
One of the bullets reportedly struck the suspect in the mouth. The van from which he came fled the scene while the marshals provided first aid to the suspect. After being transported to a hospital for treatment, Flowers was arrested. In his pocket was uncovered a .40-caliber firearm with an empty chamber and eight rounds of ammunition.
The number of carjackings in the United States has increased in recent years. Data from 2023 reveals that vehicle thefts rose by about 34% compared to the same time frame the year before. The first six months of 2023 saw a 104.3% greater carjacking rate compared to the same months in 2019.
Based on the 32 cities that contributed data to that report, seven experienced spikes of at least 100% of car thefts compared to the time period the year before.
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