D.C. Cop Ambushed by Ax-Wielding Man Week After New York Terrorist Attack

D.C. police are on alert after an ax-wielding man slammed the blade into the driver’s-side window of a patrol car as an officer sat inside.

The officer luckily wasn’t struck by the ax in the attack that came a week after two NYPD officers were struck by an ax-wielding assailant.

The New York attacker, 32-year-old Zale Thompson, a convert to Islam, was shot and killed by police, who confirmed it was a terrorist attack. The D.C. attacker is still on the loose.

The D.C. cop chased his attacker and got into a scuffle with him, dislocating his shoulder, officials said. The assailant got away.

More from NBC4:

It happened shortly before 3:20 a.m. Friday, as an officer with the city’s Fifth District was patrolling in a marked squad car in the 3800 block of 13th Street NE. The officer noticed what police called a suspicious person, who avoided the officer by entering an alley. The officer followed in his car, where he was ambushed by the man with the ax, police said.

…Police K-9 units tracked a suspect to the 1000 block of Perry Street NE, near Michigan Avenue, but have not found him.

…Officers were going door- to-door in the area, searching for the suspect. The assailant will face felony assault charges once apprehended.

Police Chief Cathy Lanier said in a statement posted on the department’s Facebook page that “as of now we have a general lookout for a black male, 6’-1” to 6’-2” with a stocky build.”

“We have several leads that we are following up on at this point, but the investigation continues,” Lanier said.

“Lately, we have been putting out a lot of information to the force in regard to remaining vigilant at all times. While we do not have any information at this point on the motivation surrounding today’s attack, this situation underscores the need to always maintain a very high level of situational awareness while we are working,” she said.

“Recent incidents targeting uniformed law enforcement officers in Quebec, New York City, and now to one our own here in Washington, D.C. are reminders that we must always be ready for any eventuality. I encourage all members to maintain a high awareness of your environment, and to always notify the dispatcher of the location when investigating or entering suspicious situations.”