Former Trump official dies after being shot in DC carjacking spree

A former Trump administration official has died after being shot in an attempted carjacking spree in downtown Washington, D.C., last Monday, the victim’s family confirmed to The Hill.

“It is with profound sadness that I wish to inform the community of the passing of my husband, Mike Gill,” Gill’s wife, Kristina Gill, wrote in a statement. “His sudden departure has left a void in our lives that can never be filled.”

Gill, a married father of three who worked at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission during former President Trump’s White House tenure, was shot last Monday while inside of a car at the 900 block of K Street NW, a spokesperson for the family confirmed last week.

He was left in critical condition at the time of the incident but has since succumbed to injuries.

Kristina remembered her husband as “a devoted husband and father” and a cherished son, brother and friend.

“Over the course of his remarkable life, Mike brought people together and made them feel included, supported, and loved,” she wrote. “His heart was evident in everything he did, as demonstrated by his mentorship and deep friendships with those who worked with him professionally. Above all, Mike spoke with pride and love about his family, especially our children, Sean, Brian, and Annika. “

The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a suspect — later identified as Artell Cunningham, 28, per the Maryland attorney general’s office — approached the parked car, got inside and shot Gill before leaving.

Cunningham allegedly fled on foot and unsuccessfully tried to carjack another person nearly an hour later, but the victim fled the scene and reported the incident to police, D.C. police said.

Police said he then approached another man and woman in their car in northeast D.C. about 10 minutes later and demanded the keys, before shooting the man and fleeing the scene. The man later died at the hospital, police said.

That car was later discovered in Maryland’s Prince George’s County, where police said Cunningham attempted two other carjackings. At around 3 a.m. Tuesday, he was seen driving one of the carjacked vehicles on the highway and shot at a police cruiser, police said.

New Carrollton Police Department officers later encountered Cunningham, who allegedly produced two handguns. The two officers shot at and struck the suspect, who was taken into custody and later died at the hospital.

At the time of his death, Gill was working as a senior vice president for capital markets at the Housing Policy Council, was an attorney and previously served as a member of the D.C. Board of Elections.

Ed DeMarco, president of the Housing Policy Council, remembered Gill as “outstanding lawyer, public servant, colleague, and community member” who gave “his time and talent in service to his country, his city, his church, and his community. “

“Mike’s death is also a huge loss for the Housing Policy Council and for the Washington, DC community, which has lost an outstanding citizen, neighbor, co-worker, and friend,” he wrote in a statement to The Hill.  

The crime spree followed increasing concerns over rising carjackings and shootings in and around the nation’s capital.

The Department of Justice announced last month it will bolster its fight against violent crime and carjackings in Washington.