Former Trump Administration Member Mike Gill Dies After Carjacking Incident in Washington, D.C.
Tragedy struck in Washington, D.C. as former Trump administration member Mike Gill lost his life after being carjacked and shot. Gill, who served as the chief of staff at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), was sitting in his vehicle on Monday night when a suspect entered his car and opened fire. The incident occurred at around 5:45 p.m. in the 900 block of K Street NW.
The suspect responsible for this heinous crime has been identified as Artell Cunningham, a 28-year-old individual. Authorities revealed that Cunningham attempted to steal another vehicle just an hour later and then proceeded to approach innocent bystanders, demanding their keys. One of the individuals he targeted was Alberto Vasquez, Jr., a 35-year-old man whom Cunningham allegedly shot and killed during a carjacking at 3rd and N Streets Northeast. Subsequently, Cunningham was shot and killed by law enforcement.
The devastating news of Mike Gill’s passing was shared by his wife, Kristina, who expressed her profound sadness. She described her husband’s sudden departure as leaving an irreplaceable void in their lives. Despite the immense grief, Kristina expressed gratitude for the overwhelming love and support they have received from family, friends, and the community.
At the time of his untimely death, Mike Gill held the position of senior vice president for Capital Markets at the Housing Policy Council, a nonprofit organization. He is remembered as a cherished friend, husband, and beloved father.
The impact Mike Gill had on those around him is evident through the heartfelt words of former CFTC chairman Christopher Giancarlo. Giancarlo described Gill as one of the most wonderful, honest, earnest, and open-hearted individuals he had ever known. He expressed deep sorrow at the loss of this fine man and emphasized that Gill’s memory will be long cherished.
The incident involving Mike Gill underscores the rising concern and frustration among law-abiding residents in Washington, D.C., due to the alarming increase in carjacking incidents. In October, Representative Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas, was also a victim of a carjacking at gunpoint.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, carjacking incidents have been on the rise in recent years. In 2023 alone, there were 908 recorded carjackings in the city, with 77% involving firearms. Additionally, the city witnessed the highest number of homicides since 2003, further highlighting the need for urgent action to combat violent crime.
Since the beginning of this year, there have already been 53 reported carjackings in Washington, D.C., with 53% of those incidents involving guns. The Metropolitan Police Department is facing significant challenges in closing these cases, with only 10 out of the reported carjackings being resolved.
The tragic loss of Mike Gill serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by residents in Washington, D.C., and the urgent need for enhanced measures to address this wave of violent crime. The community mourns the loss of a compassionate and dedicated individual who made a positive impact during his time in public service.
Sources:
– Fox News Digital’s Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Audrey Conklin, and Landon Mion contributed to this report
– Original article source: Former Trump official Mike Gill dies after being shot during Washington DC carjacking incident
