Skip to content

MPD Probes Death of Man Arrested Outside Union Station

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the death of a Maryland man who died Monday afternoon after being arrested following a traffic accident at Union Station.

According to MPD officials, Gary Thompson, 37, was involved in a “minor traffic accident” at Columbus Circle and E Street Northeast at noon.

A Capitol Police officer on routine patrol witnessed the accident — involving a taxi and a van owned by Virginia-based Refrigeration Systems Inc. that Thompson was driving — and responded to assist with the incident.

“At some point the driver of the van reportedly began acting somewhat irrational and was removed from the van,” according to a statement issued by MPD. Thompson then became “combative and a struggle ensued.”

Police subdued and handcuffed Thompson, who then fell unconscious. He was transported to Washington Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead at 12:59 p.m.

Capitol Police are assisting with the investigation, but a spokeswoman directed all questions about the incident to MPD.

“The Capitol Police want to express our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased,” said Sgt. Contricia Sellers-Ford, a Capitol Police spokeswoman.

MPD’s violent crimes branch is investigating the incident. No cause of death had been determined early Monday evening.

Recent Stories

House gets gears moving for four fiscal 2024 spending bills

ARPA-H announces first two regional hubs

Bipartisan stopgap funds bill unveiled in Senate

Shutdown would mean fewer visitors at Capitol complex, and fewer open doors

Booker joins chorus, calls Menendez’s refusal to resign ‘a mistake’

Biden, Trump visit Michigan in battle for union vote