WASHINGTON D.C. – A brazen attack on a Metropolitan Police Department officer has left one cop seriously wounded and a District man facing attempted murder charges. Ian Andre Zephyrin, 45, of Washington D.C., is accused of repeatedly stabbing an MPD officer with a knife during an attempted arrest in Northwest D.C. on June 24, 2025. The incident began with a simple shoplifting call and escalated into a violent confrontation, authorities say.
According to court documents, the chaos began around 8:31 a.m. when officers responded to a report of a theft in progress at a CVS store. A store employee claimed that defendant Ian Zephyrin allegedly filled a reusable bag with unpaid merchandise and attempted to leave without paying. The employee further alleged that Zephyrin tried to snatch her phone as she dialed 911. This set in motion a pursuit that would end in a brutal assault.
Officers quickly located Zephyrin in the 600 block of Florida Avenue NW. When approached, Zephyrin bolted, ditching the allegedly stolen goods in his flight. A foot chase ensued, and as officers attempted to apprehend him, Zephyrin allegedly brandished a knife – described as having a black handle and silver blade – and launched a vicious attack. He allegedly swung the weapon multiple times, striking the MPD officer squarely in the head.
The attack was savage. Court records detail a three-inch laceration to the officer’s head, requiring a painstaking 30 stitches to close. Blood flowed profusely, and the officer sustained severe injuries. Zephyrin was eventually subdued and taken into custody. The injured officer’s condition is currently unknown, but the severity of the wound suggests a lengthy recovery.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and MPD Chief Pamela Smith announced that Zephyrin has been charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and assault on a police officer while armed. He was presented before Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum, who ordered him held without bond pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 7, 2025, before Judge Rainey Brandt. Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney Scholz is prosecuting the case.
The Metropolitan Police Department is leading the investigation. It’s a stark reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement every day. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case. All charges are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Related Federal Cases
- DC Man Knifes Cop, Faces Attempted Murder Charge · Washington
- Florida Man Piled On Cop During Jan. 6 Riot · Washington
- Washington D.C. Man Charged With Teen’s Murder · Washington
- Hilton Sentenced to Life for Couple’s Murder · North Carolina
- Florida Man Gets 50 Months for Capitol Assault · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
