A man who was shot and wounded by an off-duty D.C. police officer who authorities said was trying to stop an armed robbery in Georgetown early Wednesday has been charged with several gun offenses and other crimes.

       Wp Get the full experience.Choose your plan ArrowRight

       The wounded man was identified as Marquette Earl Holmes, 23, of Alexandria, Va. Police said he was charged with armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a pistol without a license and possession of an unregistered firearm.

       A second assailant escaped and was being sought, police said.

       Wednesday’s shooting was the second in three days by a D.C. police officer. On Monday, an officer fatally shot a man while responding to a domestic assault in Southeast Washington, police said. D.C. police officers have shot 15 people in the District this year, five of them fatally.

       Story continues below advertisement

       Police Chief Robert J. Contee III said the Georgetown incident occurred about 12:15 a.m. when the off-duty officer saw two men wearing ski masks and holding guns approach a vehicle in the 1200 block of 28th Street NW, near M Street.

       Advertisement

       Contee said the armed men were pointing their guns at a man in the vehicle. He said the officer pulled out his weapon and pointed at the men, “believing that an armed carjacking was occurring.”

       The chief said the officer fired his gun, striking one of the men, later identified as Holmes. He said one of the men then shot at the officer, missing him. It was not clear which of the men fired at the officer. “The officer returned fire,” Contee said.

       Story continues below advertisement

       Police said the man who was being robbed also was shot, suffering a wound to his leg. He was treated at a hospital for injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

       A police spokesman said detectives are trying to determine if the man was struck by a bullet fired by the off-duty police officer or by one of the assailants.

       Because the officer who fired was not on duty, he was not wearing a uniform or a body camera.

       Advertisement

       Contee said Holmes ran after he was shot and was found hiding inside a trash can several blocks from the robbery scene. Contee said a gun was found.

       It was unclear Wednesday evening if Holmes has an attorney in the case.

       Carjackings have soared in the District, spiking 143 percent from the 142 reported in 2019 to 345 in 2020. Police said carjackings are up 45 percent this year. They have more than doubled in the police district that includes Georgetown, from five at this time in 2020 to 14 so far this year.

       Man charged with assaulting woman in George Washington University parking garage

       73-year-old Va. man shot in chest during attempted robbery at ATM, police say