A former Trump associate who previously held a position on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has become the most recent target of Washington, D.C.’s escalating crime issue. Mike Gill sustained severe injuries in a violent series of carjackings that took place shortly after he arrived to retrieve his wife from a restaurant in the vicinity of the 900 block of K Street NW on January 29.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of Washington, D.C. has verified that Gill survived the assault; however, his condition is reported to be extremely grave. As of January 31, he was still in a nearby hospital, battling for his life.
Around 5:45 p.m., officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) were called to a shooting incident in the Mount Vernon area. The perpetrator purportedly entered Gill’s vehicle, shot him, and tried to escape on foot. In a critical condition, Gill succeeded in leaving his vehicle but collapsed shortly afterward. Emergency responders discovered him and took him to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
The criminal’s spree didn’t conclude with that incident. Within a span of several hours, he made attempts to carjack two vehicles at different locations across Washington, D.C. The initial attempt was unsuccessful, and the intended victim managed to get away without harm. However, the subsequent carjacking proved tragic as he successfully seized the vehicle but, unfortunately, shot and killed a young father named AJ Vasquez Jr. during the incident.
Subsequently, he proceeded to Maryland, persistently attempting to carjack at least two vehicles. Authorities in New Carrollton eventually apprehended him around 3 a.m. The situation escalated into a gunfire exchange, leading to the demise of the suspect.
Erica Richardson, a spokesperson for the Gill family, characterized Gill as a cherished husband, father, and esteemed professional in a statement provided to WTOP. “He makes friends with everyone. How much he loves his family and how proud he is of his three children.”
Gill’s unfortunate experience serves as a stark reminder of the disturbing rise in violent crime in Washington, D.C. Current data shows that overall violent crime in the region increased by 39% between 2022 and 2023. In addition, there has been an 82% spike in thefts of motor vehicles and a 67% rise in robberies.
