A D.C. Firefighter Allegedly Assaulted His Girlfriend. Then, a Dog Walker Shot Him Dead After She Fled Their Home, Cops Say.

A D.C. firefighter allegedly assaulted his girlfriend in their home before she fled the scene. Cops say the man was then fatally shot by a dog walker.

Around 3:30 a.m. on May 8, officers responded to a domestic assault report in Bryans Road, Maryland, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office said. Before arriving at the home, officers reportedly learned of shots being fired in the area.

Once at the scene, officers found Carl Braxton, 30, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead, officers said.

Investigators determined Braxton allegedly assaulted his girlfriend inside their townhouse. The girlfriend then reportedly fled the home and “encountered a man who was walking his dog,” according to authorities.

Witnesses told officers they saw Braxton approach the man and threaten to harm him. Police said Braxton allegedly "continued walking aggressively toward the man, at which time the man, who has a permit to carry a firearm, produced a gun and shot Braxton."

According to authorities, the dog walker stayed on the scene before police transported him to the police station. He was later released.

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"There is no indication any of the involved subjects were known to the man," D.C. police said.

Braxton was an active-duty firefighter and EMT of eight years. He served at Engine Company 22 in Shepherd Park at the time of the fatal shooting and reportedly leaves behind two sons, according to a statement from the Washington, D.C., Fire and EMS Department.