Authorities say 11 people were hurt and two arrests were made during an altercation at the Turkish ambassador’s residence in the U.S. capital.
Doug Buchanan, a DC Fire and EMS spokesman, says two of those hurt were seriously injured and were taken to hospitals by ambulance. He said that emergency personnel were called to the residence about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
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Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck says the altercation broke out between two groups but he didn’t elaborate on the circumstances.
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“We are in the preliminary stages of the investigation, we have, like I said, very good video,” Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham told reporters on Wednesday. “We have a good idea of some of the folks that were there on the scene … so I’m very comfortable that we will be able to identify most of the assailants.”
The State Department declined to comment on the situation.
Critics accused bodyguards of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was in Washington to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, of inciting the violence that targeted Kurdish protesters.
Police confirmed that two men were arrested.
49-year old Ayten Necmi of Woodside, NY was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. 42-year old Jalal Kheirabaoi of Fairfax, Virginia was arrested for assault on a police officer.
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“We intend to insure that there is accountability for anyone that was involved in this assault,” Newsham said. “I’m very encouraged about some earlier conversations that I had with my federal partners at the State Department and at the U.S. Secret Service who have pledged to me to be fully cooperative in assisting in holding those folks that were responsible accountable.”
Newsham added that investigators would not hesitate to pursue any individuals who hold diplomatic immunity,
Police said some of the individuals involved in the incident were carrying firearms, creating a “dicey” and potentially dangerous situation for officers.