10‑33, SHOTS FIRED, is a compilation of Washington Post articles researched and prepared by retired Detective Sergeant Dave Richardson.
POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTINGS-TWO WASHINGTON POST STORIES FROM THE 1970’s.
OFFICERS CARL BALLARD AND ERNEST BARLOW
WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE DATED JANUARY 8, 1972, PAGE B2
2 D.C. POLICEMEN SHOT DRIVING ON 16TH STREET
Two Washington policemen were shot last night by the driver of an automobile that had been closely following their automobile on 16th Street NW, police reported. On was seriously wounded.
Police said the shooting, which occurred around 10:30 p.m. at 16th and Monroe Streets NW, appeared to be “without provocation” by the officers. Both policemen, on duty and in civilian clothes, are assigned to the Fourth District “old clothes” or tactical unit.
Officer Carl Ballard, 31, was listed in serious condition at the Washington Hospital Center last night with a gunshot wound in the head.
Officer Ernest Barlow, on duty with Ballard in an unmarked civilian auto, was reported in good condition at the hospital with a wound in the shoulder.
After broadcasting a lookout for the car allegedly used by the officers assailant, which reportedly held two men and a young woman, police stopped two vehicles and reportedly confiscated two weapons. However, it was not known early this morning if either car was connected with the shooting. No arrests had been reported.
After interviewing the officers and witnesses, police gave this account of the shooting incident:
The two policemen, both wearing “old clothes” characteristic of the tactical unit, were driving east on Monroe Street when an auto began to “tailgate” them. They pulled to the right at the intersection of 16th Street to stop for a traffic sign. The other car pulled abreast and also stopped, police said.
The driver of the other auto then got out, yanked open the driver’s door of the policeman’s car and fired inside, hitting Ballard. He then went around to the other side, where Barlow was sitting, and fired again. This time Barlow returned the fire and in the exchange was wounded.
Insp. Charles M. Monroe, acting police chief, said early this morning that there had been no words exchanged during the entire incident.
The assailant apparently fled in the automobile. Police said Barlow also fired several shots at the auto and apparently hit it. It was not known if his shots hit any of the occupants.
Police later broadcast a lookout for a white 1968 model Chrysler, with whitewall tires and D.C. registration.
(21‑YEAR‑OLD DONALD MITCHELL, OF 5244 COLORADO AVE. NW, WAS ARRESTED THE NEXT DAY AND CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF A.W.I..K. THE OTHER OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THAT TIME)
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OFFICER CHARLES R. SMISEK
WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE DATED AUGUST 25, 1971, PAGE A17
2 HELD AFTER CHASE, SHOOTING IN NW.
An unidentified man was shot in the shoulder by a metropolitan policeman last night after a high‑speed automobile chase through the Mount Pleasant area of Northwest Washington, police said.
The man was a passenger in a stolen car that two police officers said they noticed near 16th Street and Park Road N.W., about 9 p.m.
Officers Clentis F. Dye and Charles R. Smisek, began tailing the car, and when the driver noticed he was being followed he accelerated and a chase ensued, the police report continued.
The stolen car crashed into a tree on the Piney Branch Parkway minutes later and the officers apprehended the driver on the spot.
Police said the passenger got out of the car and began to run, with Smisek in pursuit. The man suddenly turned and pointed a revolver at Smisek, who then pulled his service revolver and fired four shots at the man, hitting him once, police added.
The man then ran into the nearby wooded area and was captured about 30 minutes later, after police dogs and a helicopter had joined in the search.
The man was taken to the Washington Hospital Center where he was reported in good condition. The driver, who suffered facial cuts and bruises when the car crashed, was in good condition at D.C. General Hospital.
The passenger was charged with unauthorized use of a weapon (?) Carrying an unregistered firearm and ammunition and assault on a police officer. The driver was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, carrying a deadly weapon, possession of unregistered firearm and ammunition.
(THE SUSPECTS WERE IDENTIFIED AS WILLIAM SCHRODER AND DAVID RUCKER. THE FOLLOWING YEAR, THESE TWO WERE AMONG FOUR PRISONERS WHO USED A TRUCK TO RAM THE FENCE AT LORTON AND ESCAPE. THEY WERE LATER RECAPTURED.)