US Marshal Shoots Suspect Trying to Kidnap Him Near Sonia Sotomayor’s Home

A U.S. marshal shot a suspected car thief near Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s home last week.

Kentrell Flowers, 18, was shot after allegedly pointing a firearm in “an apparent attempt to carjack” two deputies Friday morning, according to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. The shooting occurred in the 2100 block of 11th Street, near Sotomayor’s residence.

The U.S. Marshals Service confirmed to NBC News that the deputies were part of a unit protecting the homes of U.S. Supreme Court justices, but did not provide additional details.

According to a federal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, two deputies were parked in a government-provided vehicle at 1:17 a.m. when a silver van pulled up alongside them.

Flowers then exited the van to approach the driver’s door and pointed a gun through the driver’s window, the complaint said.

One of the deputies, who was not identified, used his department-issued gun to shoot the suspect four times. One of the shots struck Flowers in the mouth, the complaint said.

The silver van that Flowers exited fled the scene while marshals gave him first aid. Flowers was taken to a hospital for treatment, where he was arrested, according to the complaint.

A .40 caliber Smith & Wesson was allegedly found in Flowers’ right pants pocket.

“There were (0) rounds in the chamber and (8) rounds of .40 caliber ammunition in a magazine that held 13 rounds,” the complaint said.

A Metropolitan Police detective recovered video of the shooting, according to the complaint, which showed someone getting out of a van and approaching the marshals’ car. NBC News has not seen the video.

Detectives were able to confirm the car was a 2017 silver Toyota Sienna that had been stolen, the complaint said.

According to a press release from the Metropolitan Police Department, police internal affairs is investigating the shooting, as it does all “officer involved shootings in the District of Columbia.” The case will then be sent to the United States Attorney’s Office for review.

Metro Police also said a second deputy from another vehicle also responded and fired a service weapon.

Flowers was charged in federal court with attempted carjacking and assaulting, resisting or hindering the use of dangerous weapons by certain police officers. Court records do not list an attorney for Flowers. A phone number for Flowers was not listed in a public records search.

The U.S. Supreme Court did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News.