Congressman Henry Cuellar Survives Carjacking at Gunpoint in Washington, D.C.
Harrowing Night in Navy Yard: Congressman Henry Cuellar’s Carjacking Ordeal
U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Laredo, had a harrowing experience when he was carjacked at gunpoint on a Monday night near his Washington home. According to his chief of staff, Jacob Hochberg, three individuals wearing knit caps and ski masks approached Cuellar while he was parking his car, a white Toyota crossover. Fortunately, Cuellar emerged from the incident unharmed, and law enforcement managed to recover his stolen vehicle.
Hochberg expressed gratitude to the Metropolitan Police Department (Metro PD) and the U.S. Capitol Police for their quick response in retrieving the Congressman’s car. Both agencies are actively investigating the case, with the assistance of the U.S. Capitol Police spokesperson indicating that they are still working to identify and apprehend the suspects.
In addition to reclaiming Cuellar’s car, law enforcement also retrieved the Congressman’s electronics and other valuables that were left inside the vehicle, including his cell phone. Interestingly, Cuellar had a sushi dinner he had picked up from a nearby Whole Foods in the car, and he humorously remarked, “What really got me upset was they took my sushi, but anyway, that’s something else.” He later confirmed that the police were able to recover his cherished sushi.
The incident unfolded in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Washington, a popular area for congressional members due to its proximity to the Capitol. Sadly, crime has been on the rise in Washington, especially since the pandemic, with carjackings witnessing a significant increase in recent years. In 2018, there were approximately 200 carjackings reported in the District and its inner-ring suburbs, but in 2022, that number ballooned to over 1,000, as per The Washington Post’s analysis.
The surge in crime has become a focal point for conservative members of Congress who have challenged Washington’s home rule. They took steps to block a city-led revision of its criminal code earlier this year. This proposed revision aimed to eliminate most minimum sentences and reduce maximum penalties for various crimes, including carjacking.
Both Republicans and many Democrats in Congress opposed the revised criminal code, asserting that it was too lenient on crime. Consequently, they used their rarely invoked veto power on District affairs to prevent the proposal from becoming law. It’s worth noting that Cuellar was among those who voted against relaxing the penalties. In the end, President Joe Biden allowed the revised code to expire.
Despite this unsettling incident, Congressman Cuellar is back at work, showing resilience in the face of adversity. The masked attackers may have briefly disrupted his life, but with the swift response of local law enforcement, he can now put this ordeal behind him.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
