7News is On Your Side, taking a closer look at high amounts of car thefts in the District after a woman found her stolen car at the center of an officer-involved shooting in Northeast Washington, D.C. over the weekend.
Porshia McCullum owns the stolen SUV that was involved in Saturday morning's incident.
A United States Park Police officer was reportedly trapped in the car and another was dragged when authorities say 17-year-old Dalaneo Martin drove off as officers tried to detain him.
The officer shot him, and they crashed into a home in Northeast.
The investigation into why he was in the car and what happened continues.
"I don’t have any words for it," McCullum said. "I’m still trying to process it, but it never should’ve ended this way, it’s a car."
Current Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) data shows car thefts in the District have more than doubled year-to-date, with 705 motor vehicle theft crimes this same time last year.
Today, the data shows 1,455 reported motor vehicle theft crimes--a 106% increase.
McCullum is a mom of four, a full-time student and works two jobs. She’s hoping to just break even after insurance but is now left with no car, and frustration with the District.
"How is it that an innocent bystander can see my vehicle, but a camera cannot, but you have all of these speed cameras that are snapping our license and taking our money," McCullum said. "I don’t understand the concept.
"I’m just frustrated with everything, but I got to keep pressing forward because me being frustrated is not going to get me a vehicle."
MPD says carjackings are not included in the auto theft data and have a separate set of numbers.
The department also confirmed to 7News that the TikTok trend showing people how to steal certain types of cars directly contributed to a rise in thefts last year.