Howard University student arrested for fleeing police, cocaine possession: MPD

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — A 21-year-old Howard University student was taken into custody following an incident in Washington, D.C. over the weekend.

It all happened on Saturday, Sept. 6, around 1:30 a.m. near the U Street corridor.

According to a police report obtained by DC News Now, Walter-Thomas Amondji of Upper Marlboro, Md., allegedly fled from officers during a traffic stop on W Street NW.

Eventually, he stopped and was placed under arrest.

During a search, officers discovered .28 grams of a white powdery substance in Amondji’s wallet, which was in his pocket, the police report detailed. D.C. police noted that a field test indicated that the substance had the presence of a cocaine base.

The Howard University student was charged with fleeing from law enforcement in a motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance (crack cocaine).

Over the weekend, Amondji’s arrest circled social media, bringing attention to Howard University students, parents and the D.C. community.

Howard University released a letter to the community on Saturday, Sept. 6, noting that since the arrest, they have been in contact with Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office and the Metropolitan Police Department.

Late last night, several Howard students were departing the U Street corridor when the vehicle they were traveling in was stopped by law enforcement, resulting in the arrest of a Howard University student. University officials have been in touch with the mayor’s office and the Metropolitan Police Department to gather additional information. The Office of Student Affairs is working to contact the students involved and has already been in touch with the family of the detained student. We realize that this situation, as well as the heightened federal law enforcement presence across Washington, D.C., has created both concern and anxiety among many students and their families. We want to reemphasize that the safety of our community is our top priority, both on and off campus,” Howard University wrote in a statement.

In the statement, the university added that when involved in any encounter with law enforcement, students should call the Howard University Department of Public Safety at 202-806-1100 as soon as it is safe to do so.