What began as a domestic dispute in a D.C. neighborhood ended as a police-involved shooting Friday night.

Continue reading

The shooting happened just after 6 p.m. in the 4200 block of 4th Street SE.

Officers responding to a domestic call met 24-year-old Albert Jermaine Payton and a woman in the street. Police say Payton was holding a kitchen or steak knife.

"They asked the gentleman to put down his knife several times, he failed to comply and went towards the officers at which time they shot him," Assistant Chief Diane Groomes with D.C. Police explained.

At least one witness is disputing the police account of what happened.

The witness, who asked to not be identified, claims Payton did comply, but four to five officers still opened fire.

Ashley Neal, a D.C. resident who was also at the scene, added, "He wasn't forceful, he wasn't trying to attack or anything."

Police say two officers were involved in the incident, firing "multiple shots." Evidence cones on the street indicate at least 39 shell casings were on the street.

Police are not commenting on specifics in the case, but an internal investigation is underway.

D.C. police confirm Payton was pronounced dead at the hospital.