Man Throws Gun Onto Subway Track During Fight With Police: MTPD

WASHINGTON, DC — Two Metro Transit Police Officers were injured in a "violent struggle" with a suspect armed with an illegal firearm at a DC metro station, police said.

The officers were on routine patrol at Minnesota Avenue Station at about 3 p.m. Thursday when they saw a man avoid paying for the metro by squeezing his body through the fare gates as he entered the station.

As the man reached the platform, the officers identified themselves and asked to see his SmarTrip card. The man, identified as Alontae Markell Hickman, 21, of Southeast DC, told the officers “don’t even check it” as the card had a negative balance, police said. Further investigation revealed Hickman is a habitual offender for fare evasion, police said.

Police told Hickman that he was under arrest. He allegedly stood up and turned his body away from the officers in an apparent attempt to flee. The officers tried to restrain Hickman, who began to fight the officers.

Hickman kicked, scratched and elbowed the officers as they tried to place him in handcuffs, police said. During the struggle, Hickman allegedly reached for a black semiautomatic handgun and threw it onto the tracks. MTPD officers recovered and secured the firearm, which was found to have one round in the chamber.

The officers suffered from minor injuries sustained during the arrest, police said.

Police arrested Hickman on preliminary charges of Assault on a Police Officer, Fare Evasion and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. Hickman is currently on parole, and additional charges are possible. He is expected to make his first court appearance Friday, police said.

Photos: MTPD