Maryland Man Arrested Following Armed Confrontation With Washington D.C. Public Works Employee Over Parking Ticket

David Joshua Willoughby arrested for felony threats while armed after allegedly using a gun to threaten a DC Public Works employee over a parking ticket.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 20, 2026, 3:23 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Metropolitan Police Department

Violent Escalation Over Routine Municipal Enforcement

A routine administrative task for a Department of Public Works employee turned into a life-threatening encounter in early March. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, a victim was performing his duties in the 700 block of 8th Street, Southeast, when he was approached by an irate individual. The conflict reportedly began when the suspect discovered his vehicle had received a parking ticket, prompting him to initiate a verbal confrontation and attempt to provoke a physical fight. This incident highlights the increasing volatility faced by municipal staff members while executing regulatory duties in public spaces.

Strategic Pursuit and Armed Intimidation in Southeast D.C.

The situation escalated significantly when the suspect retreated to his vehicle, not to depart, but to retrieve a firearm. Police reports indicate that the man then began following the city employee on foot, using the weapon to bolster verbal threats and physically block the victim’s path. This period of armed intimidation created a high-risk scenario in a populated urban corridor before the suspect eventually fled the scene in his vehicle. The Metropolitan Police Department characterized the behavior as a targeted effort to obstruct a public servant through the use of lethal force.

Interagency Cooperation Leads to Rapid Apprehension

The resolution of the case was the result of a coordinated effort between multiple law enforcement entities operating within the District. Following the encounter, detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department issued a detailed lookout for both the suspect and the vehicle involved. On the following day, members of the U.S. Park Police successfully located the individual based on these descriptions. The seamless transfer of information between the local police and federal partners was instrumental in ensuring the suspect was taken into custody without further incident shortly after the initial offense.