GERMANTOWN, Md. — A multi-county police pursuit ended with a rollover crash after authorities chased an armed suspect who allegedly fired shots at an officer Monday morning. The pursuit started in Montgomery County and traveled into Fairfax County, the Montgomery County Police Department said.
Montgomery County Emergency Communications center first responded to multiple calls around 9:30 a.m. for a 26-year-old man firing a rifle at the 11300 block of Hawks Ridge Terrance in Germantown. Montgomery County Police said the man shot multiple times at a WSSC worker and a man standing next to his truck, hitting the car several times.
But by the time officers from the 5th District arrived, the suspect, later identified as Frederick Njihia, had left.
Njihia began to fire at a Montgomery County Police officer's car flattening the front tire, in an attempt to escape, police said. The officer also had a police candidate with her on a ride-along. A police chase ensued, heading towards Virginia.
Virginia State Police were notified at approximately 9:41 a.m. by Montgomery county Police that Njihia was driving south on I-495 to Virginia. After receiving a request to assist, state troopers camped out on I-495 on the American Legion Bridge in an effort to intercept Njihia's car.
Njihia drove a Honda Civic through Virginia on I-495 and exited onto Route 7 towards Tyson Corner. According to officials, he did a U-turn on Route 7 at Route 267/Dulles Toll Road. A trooper used what police called a "pursuit intervention technique (PIT)" maneuver, making contact with the car. Njihia lost control of the Civic, ran off the road, struck the Jersey wall and overturned onto the roof.
Route 7 was shut down for hours as police collected evidence, including a .223 rifle found in the car, according to Montgomery County Police.
No officers were injured during the incident and Njihia was treated at INOVA Fairfax Hospital for minor injuries sustained in the crash.
Virginia State Police charged Njihia with eluding police and reckless driving. He was also charged in Montgomery County on four counts of attempted murder and first-degree assault with a firearm. He is being held without bond at the Fairfax Adult Detention Center, but will be extradited to Montgomery County. The incident remains under investigation.
Spencer Deese was having breakfast in his Tysons apartment when he heard police sirens and stepped out onto his balcony. He ended up recording the final moments of the pursuit, including the rollover crash.
**WARNING: Explicit language and may be offensive to viewers.**
