Supreme Court Justice
Marshal shoots 18-year-old who tried to carjack him
In a dramatic turn of events early Friday morning, a deputy U.S. Marshal shot an 18-year-old man who allegedly attempted to carjack him outside the Washington, D.C. residence of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of high-profile individuals and the increasing boldness of criminal activities in the nation's capital.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the incident occurred around 1:15 a.m. on July 5, when two deputy U.S. Marshals were stationed in separate vehicles as part of the security detail assigned to protect Justice Sotomayor's home. The suspect, identified as Kentrell Flowers, approached one of the Marshals' vehicles and brandished a firearm, aiming it through the driver's side window in an apparent attempt to steal the vehicle.
In response to the imminent threat, the Marshal inside the vehicle discharged his service weapon, firing several shots at Flowers. Another Marshal from a nearby vehicle also opened fire. Flowers was struck in the mouth and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. He was promptly taken into custody and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Authorities recovered a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun from Flowers, which contained eight rounds in a 13-round capacity magazine. Flowers now faces multiple charges, including armed carjacking, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device.
The U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that the deputies involved were part of the unit responsible for protecting the residences of U.S. Supreme Court justices. However, they refrained from providing specific details about the protective assignments, citing standard practice.
The shooting incident has drawn significant attention, particularly given its proximity to Justice Sotomayor's residence. It remains unclear whether Justice Sotomayor was present at her home during the altercation. The U.S. Supreme Court has not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
This event underscores the ongoing concerns about the safety of public figures, especially in light of recent high-profile incidents. Notably, in 2022, a man was charged with the attempted murder of Justice Brett Kavanaugh after being found near Kavanaugh's residence with a firearm. The incident occurred shortly after a draft majority opinion suggesting the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade was leaked.
The Metropolitan Police Department's Internal Affairs Division's Force Investigations Team is currently investigating the shooting, as is standard procedure for all officer-involved shootings in Washington, D.C. The case will also be reviewed by the United States Attorney's Office.
The attempted carjacking near Justice Sotomayor's home is part of a broader trend of car thefts and violent crimes in Washington, D.C. Despite a reported 46% decline in carjackings this year compared to the same period last year, the city has still seen a significant number of such incidents. According to police data, 71% of carjackings in the city this year have involved firearms.
This incident follows several other notable car thefts and attempted vehicle break-ins in the area. In January, a former member of the Trump administration, Mike Gill, was fatally shot during a carjacking in D.C. More recently, in November, U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar was carjacked by armed attackers near the Capitol, though he was unharmed.
The U.S. Marshals Service and other law enforcement agencies continue to emphasize the importance of vigilance and preparedness in the face of such threats. As investigations into the recent shooting continue, authorities are urging anyone with potentially relevant information to come forward.
The heightened security measures for Supreme Court justices and other high-profile individuals reflect the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in ensuring their safety. The recent incident near Justice Sotomayor's residence serves as a stark reminder of the risks and the critical role of protective details in safeguarding the nation's leaders.