WASHINGTON, D.C. — Authorities have identified the woman killed in a fatal shooting in Northwest Washington on Tuesday morning as 44-year-old Melissa Wallace-Pulliam of Northwest, D.C. Police also identified the suspect as 44-year-old Shawn Dewayne Williams of Southeast Washington, who was later killed during an officer-involved shooting aboard a Metrobus.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the incident began shortly before 7:30 a.m. in the 3600 block of Wisconsin Avenue NW, near the Washington Ballet studio. Investigators say Williams, armed with what police described as a long gun, allegedly shot and killed Wallace-Pulliam before fleeing the scene.
After the shooting, authorities said Williams boarded a Metrobus near Porter Street NW. Police quickly gathered information regarding the suspect and the bus involved and began tracking its location. Officers eventually stopped the bus in the 4000 block of Wisconsin Avenue NW as part of an effort to safely apprehend the suspect.
Interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll said officers worked to evacuate passengers from the bus after it was stopped. While passengers were being removed, officers observed a man matching the suspect’s description reaching into a bag. According to police, officers repeatedly ordered him not to remove any weapons and instructed him to comply with commands.
Investigators say Williams ignored those commands and allegedly pulled a firearm from the bag, pointing it toward officers. In response, officers opened fire, fatally wounding him.
Chief Carroll stated that the suspect possessed a firearm equipped with an extended magazine, raising concerns about the potential danger posed to officers, remaining passengers, and the public.
“There were numerous people on the bus when the bus was initially stopped,” Carroll said during a press briefing. He noted that only a handful of passengers remained onboard when the shooting occurred, as most had already been evacuated.
Authorities have indicated that Wallace-Pulliam and Williams were involved in a domestic relationship. Carroll also stated that Williams had been arrested multiple times in the past, including incidents related to domestic violence.
Video obtained by local media captured the sound of gunfire from inside the bus as passengers exited the vehicle, some with their hands raised while moving away from the scene. The footage underscores the tense and rapidly evolving situation officers faced during the encounter.
The shootings prompted a significant police response and led to road closures throughout the Wisconsin Avenue corridor while investigators processed evidence and secured the area. Residents and commuters experienced traffic disruptions for several hours as authorities conducted their investigation.
Metro Transit Police officials said the incident highlights the importance of ongoing security efforts across the transit system. Deputy Chief Maurice McKinney noted that additional uniformed officers, plainclothes personnel, and virtual patrol resources have been deployed to help protect passengers and transit employees.
As required by MPD policy, the officers involved in the fatal shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending investigation. The Internal Affairs Bureau’s Force Investigations Team is reviewing the incident, while the United States Attorney’s Office will conduct an independent review of the evidence.
The death of Melissa Wallace-Pulliam has left family members, friends, and community members mourning a tragic loss as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding both shootings.
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