A teacher was shot and killed at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, July 5. Authorities have since made an arrest in connection with the crime.
The victim has been identified as Maxwell Emerson, a 25-year-old social studies teacher, as well as assistant wrestling coach at Oldham County High School in La Grange, Kentucky.
The shooting occurred around 8:20 am on Alumni Lane in Northeast D.C., prompting a swift response from the Metropolitan Police Department. Upon their arrival, officers found Emerson suffering from gunshot wounds. He was promptly transported to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Emerson, who had traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in a three-day professional development workshop for teachers at the Library of Congress, was spending the Fourth of July weekend with his mother and brother. The tragic incident occurred on the university campus, which was hosting the workshop.
The Oldham County school district issued a statement expressing profound sorrow over the loss, underscoring Emerson’s commitment to his students and his passion for creating engaging and rigorous lessons. He was loved by his students and respected by his colleagues.
The Catholic University of America also released a statement, confirming their cooperation with the ongoing investigation and extending their condolences to the victim’s family. According to university officials, witnesses observed Emerson and another individual entering the campus from Michigan Avenue before engaging in a dispute that escalated to the shooting. The suspect fled the scene, prompting a manhunt and a reward for information leading to his arrest.
Although the authorities initially believed Emerson and the suspect were acquainted, the victim’s family has stated that Emerson did not know anyone in D.C., suggesting that the crime may have been a random act of violence, possibly related to robbery.
On Tuesday, July 11, police arrested 22-year-old Jaime Macedo, charging him with first-degree murder while armed, according to a police spokesperson. Macedo’s arrest followed a tip-off from a member of the public who recognized him from photos of a potential assailant that police had disseminated.
As of now, further details regarding the circumstances of the July 5 shooting and the suspect remain largely undisclosed.