Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) fell victim to a harrowing carjacking at gunpoint just outside his Washington, D.C. apartment building. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López broke the news, revealing that Cuellar was unharmed in the incident, with his car recovered approximately an hour later.
The official alert issued in the area identified three black males as the suspects, providing a description of their all-black attire. The carjackers targeted Cuellar’s white Honda CHR, bearing Texas license plates [redacted], at the intersection of K Street and New Jersey Avenue SE. The criminals reportedly held guns to Cuellar’s head and also confiscated his cell phone during the unsettling encounter.
“Alert: Armed Carjacking Investigation at the intersection of K street and New Jersey Avenue SE,” a local alert said, according to Punchbowl News. “Taken was a white Honda CHR with TX tags [redacted]. Lookout for three black males wearing all black clothing.”
NEWS: Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) was carjacked at gunpoint tonight outside his apartment building in DC, multiple sources confirm to me. And Cuellar is safe they say
— Laura Barrón-López (@lbarronlopez) October 3, 2023
This disturbing event follows a pattern of security concerns for lawmakers in the nation’s capital. Earlier this year, in February, Representative Angie Craig (D-MN) faced an assault in an elevator at her D.C. apartment building. The assailant, identified as 26-year-old Kendrick Hamlin, was later arrested by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department on a charge of simple assault.
“My morning coffee really saved the day yesterday, but not exactly how I expected it to,” Craig said. “On a serious note, I will also say that I was very, very lucky that I was not more injured — and I’ll have more to say about that soon.”
“I wanted to let everyone know that the outpouring of support from friends, constituents and colleagues has been overwhelming,” she continued. “I remain deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers for their quick response and subsequent arrest of a suspect last night.”
Reflecting on the incident, Craig expressed gratitude for the swift response of law enforcement and the support she received from friends, constituents, and colleagues. She noted that her morning routine, particularly her coffee, played an unexpected role in averting a potentially more severe outcome.
