A former Trump administration official has died after he was shot during an attempted carjacking.
Mike Gill, who worked as chief of staff at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission under the former president, was shot in Washington DC last Monday as a man tried to get into a car before fleeing the scene, police said.
The incident lasted over three minutes and involved a Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV.
Later, the attacker failed at an attempt to steal a Mercedes, according to authorities.
The attacker then approached a man and woman demanding their car keys and proceeded to shoot and kill 35-year-old Alberto Vasquez Jr, fleeing in a stolen Chrysler 200, according to an incident report.
Police identified the suspect as 28-year-old Artell Cunningham after locating him to an SUV which had been disabled, realising it had been stolen.
Cunningham approached officers holding two guns while they searched the area for the vehicle’s occupants, police said.
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He was then shot dead by officers.
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Cunningham was also accused of two other carjackings in Maryland.
Paying tribute to her husband, Kristina Gill said: “His sudden departure has left a void in our lives that can never be filled.”
She said he was “not only a devoted husband and father but also a cherished son, brother, and friend”.
Mr Gill was dedicated to improving others’ lives, being an active member of his church, befriending and mentoring co-workers, serving on the District of Columbia Board of Elections and coaching his daughter’s football team, Mrs Gill said.
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Donald Trump paid homage to Mr Gill in a post on Truth Social on Sunday.
The former president said: “Wonderful and brilliant Mike Gill, a highly respected member of the Trump Administration, was ruthlessly and viciously shot in the head during a carjacking in Washington DC.
“He was a SPECIAL PERSON – His family and friends are devastated… God bless Michael and his family!”
