Metro News Release

For immediate release: May 8, 2003

Metro Transit Police apprehend man involved in the April 22 officer assault

The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) today announced that Tyree Stevenson, the 29-year-old Hyattsville, Maryland, resident involved in an April 22 incident, was apprehended yesterday and charged with first degree assault on a police officer.

The incident on April 22 occurred a few minutes before midnight when an MTPD officer at the Addison Road-Seat Pleasant Metrorail station stopped a driver for a routine traffic check. Instead of obeying the officer’s directions, the driver accelerated the vehicle, causing a dragging injury to the officer.

This marks the second time in less than two weeks that Metro Transit Police have charged a person in connection with a violent incident on Metro property. In addition to apprehending Mr. Stevenson, MTPD also charged a suspect with possession of a firearm without a permit after he discharged a weapon accidentally and wounded a woman on a Metrorail train as it approached the Addison Road-Seat Pleasant Metrorail station on April 26.

The investigation into the fatal stabbing at the College Park Metrorail station last Thursday is continuing and MTPD is hopeful of making an arrest.

" We would like to remind anyone who may have information concerning this case to contact our detectives at 202-962-1792 or call our 24-hour Communications line at 202-962-2121," stated MTPD Chief of Police Polly Hanson. " Whenever violent crime is committed on our property, we are going to do whatever it takes to bring those responsible to justice."

The officer involved in the incident with Mr. Stevenson is currently recuperating from his injuries.

News release issued on May 8, 2003.