The man accused of shooting three District of Columbia police officers and walling himself off for hours two weeks ago is in the country illegally, according to a report.
Shooting suspect Stephen Claude Rattigan, 48, has an active deportation order with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to independent reporter Julio Rosas.
The report didn’t share Mr. Rattigan‘s country of origin.
The Washington Times has reached out to ICE to confirm Mr. Rosas’ report.
Mr. Rattigan was charged with opening fire on three Metropolitan Police officers as authorities tried to serve an animal cruelty arrest warrant on Feb. 14.
Police said the suspected gunman shot through his front door in the southeast part of D.C. as officers were trying to force their way in.
The three officers were wounded in the hand, leg and ankle, according to police. All were released from the hospital a day later.
A 12-hour standoff ensued where authorities said Mr. Rattigan fired shots out of his home that struck neighboring cars and law enforcement vehicles at the scene. He eventually surrendered to police.
Mr. Rattigan remains behind bars on charges of assault with intent to kill and assault on police officers, among other weapons charges.
His next court hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Court documents said authorities were trying to serve the animal cruelty arrest warrant after he was accused of punching a dog outside his home last year.
Subsequent investigations by the Washington Humane Society, an animal welfare organization, found that Mr. Rattigan was housing multiple dogs in unsanitary conditions.
Neighbors had complained about the street reeking of feces and urine because of the number of animals in Mr. Rattigan’s home. His landlord had an eviction notice approved in January.
After Mr. Rattigan was arrested, police found 31 dogs inside the home.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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