Protecting Justice: The Gunfight Outside Sonia Sotomayor’s Home

K2 images / shutterstock.com
K2 images / shutterstock.com

A dramatic incident unfolded in Washington, DC, as US Marshals shot a teenager after allegedly attempting to carjack federal officers outside the residence of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

The incident unfolded in Northwest DC, where US Marshals were reportedly stationed to safeguard Justice Sotomayor. According to a detailed police report, an 18-year-old named Kentrell Flowers approached a Deputy US Marshal sitting in his vehicle outside Justice Sotomayor’s condominium. Flowers reportedly pointed a handgun at the Marshal and tried to take control of the vehicle by force.

In a swift response to the looming threat, one of the Marshals discharged about four shots, hitting the suspect in the mouth, according to the documents. Following the shooting, Flowers was taken to a local hospital for treatment and then placed into custody. Flowers was charged with armed carjacking, illegal firearm possession, and possession of a high-capacity magazine.

The incident underscores the risks faced by law enforcement officers tasked with protecting high-profile individuals, such as Supreme Court justices. The US Marshals Service confirmed that the officers involved were part of Justice Sotomayor’s security detail but declined to disclose further specifics, citing ongoing investigations.

The police department stated on Tuesday that the officer-involved shooting incident is currently under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division’s Force Investigations Team, responsible for probing all law enforcement officer-involved shootings in the District of Columbia. The Metropolitan Police Department, stated that no officers were injured during the confrontation.

The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting broader concerns about carjackings and the recent rash of violent crime in Washington, DC. It also raises questions about security measures and the safety of public officials in the nation’s capital. Investigations into the shooting are being conducted by both local authorities and the US Attorney’s Office, ensuring a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the incident.

While authorities have not indicated that Flowers intentionally targeted Sotomayor’s security detail — the marshals were in an unmarked government vehicle — concerns over the protection of Supreme Court justices have escalated in recent years. This issue has gained prominence among lawmakers and within the court itself, especially following heightened tensions surrounding the overturning of constitutional abortion protections two years ago.