Court records show an FBI agent has been charged with attempted murder in the off-duty shooting of another man on a metro subway train last year.
What We Know:
- The incident occurred in a Maryland suburb near Washington D.C. Agent Eduardo Valdivia got into an altercation with an unarmed subway passenger on December 15th of last year. The situation escalated from an exchange of words to a shooting on a train approaching the Medical Center station. Valdivia’s defense attorney claims he acted in self-defense as the man approached him.
- The county’s top prosecutor declined to explain why the shooting wasn’t justified. Attorney John McCarthy told reporters that “this is not the appropriate time” to reveal that information. Prosecutor Robert Hill explained in court that Valdivia shot and wounded the man from a distance of two to three feet away. Valdivia allegedly told the unarmed man to back up repeatedly before taking action.
- The incident began when the man asked Valdivia for money. Valdivia allegedly declines, which prompted the unarmed man to walk away, cursing him. Valdivia heard the remark, and the situation escalated to the point where he shot the man. A grand jury indicted Valdivia on charges including attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and reckless endangerment.
- Valdivia turned himself into local authorities Tuesday morning. Judge Joan Ryon agreed to release him on personal recognizance. The wounded victim ended up with a part or all of his spleen, colon, and pancreas removed during surgery after the shooting. Valdivia was on his way to work on the morning of the shooting when he was approached.
The Metro Transit Police Department said it has reviewed video footage and taken statements from Metro employees, passengers, and others.
