Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) was carjacked at gunpoint on Monday night. It happened in Navy Yard neighborhood, just blocks away from the Capitol.

The carjacking took place about 9:30 p.m. near his home. Fortunately, Cuellar was not injured. According to Cuellar’s chief of staff, Jacob Hochberg, the congressman was parking his car as three armed assailants approached him and stole his car – a white Honda CHR with Texas plates. His car was recovered.

“As Congressman Cuellar was parking his car this evening, 3 armed assailants approached the Congressman and stole his vehicle. Luckily, he was not harmed and is working with local law enforcement. Thank you to Metro PD and Capitol Police for their swift action and for recovering the Congressman’s vehicle,” the statement read.

U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) confirmed that an armed carjacking took place in the Navy Yard neighborhood and the victim was identified as a member of Congress. Investigators are working with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on the case.

The three carjackers were described as three males, all wearing all-black clothing. There isn’t mention of the race of the assailants. All-black clothing isn’t much to go on. The suspects are still at-large. Police are asking for any information anyone might have.

Local news has been reporting on the rise in violent crime in Washington, D.C. for months. There were 750 carjackings as of last weekend, 75% of them involved guns, according to MPD. One reporter tweeted out some numbers, though her number to-date is 651. A commenter corrected her number to 750.

Comes amid a surge in violent crime in DC. Just looking at carjackings alone:

2018: 140 carjackings
2022: 485 carjackings
2023: 651 carjackings (thus far)

It’s completely out of control. https://t.co/lZ9TEupTtS

— Alicia Smith (@Alicia_Smith19) October 3, 2023

Actually we are at 750 carjackings so far in 2023. https://t.co/bCCg6PcUZr

— Potomac Fever (@FeverPotomac) October 3, 2023

Around the same time, in the same general area, two men and a teenager were shot near a restaurant.

Comes amid a surge in violent crime in DC. Just looking at carjackings alone:

2018: 140 carjackings
2022: 485 carjackings
2023: 651 carjackings (thus far)

It’s completely out of control. https://t.co/lZ9TEupTtS

— Alicia Smith (@Alicia_Smith19) October 3, 2023

The writer had to control her first inclination, which was to “dunk on” a member of Congress. Really? Does she think he deserved it or something?

I get the urge to dunk on the member of Congress but the surge in violent crime in cities – particularly downtown DC, is a serious problem and is costing lives. I don’t think “X was carjacked and deserved it because of Y 😝” is very helpful or productive to solving the problem.

— Alicia Smith (@Alicia_Smith19) October 3, 2023

She notes that 67% of carjackings are committed by youth.

I’m not an expert on policing or what the practicalities are of bringing in the national guard to take on law enforcement duties/ease staffing shortages, but whatever the current strategy is is not working and there needs to be a course correction, and fast.

— Alicia Smith (@Alicia_Smith19) October 3, 2023

Decline is a choice. Cities are violent and dangerous places now because of Democrat leadership. Democrats supported the defund the police movement and that has created a complete lack of respect for law enforcement and abiding by laws that keep our society civil.

There are also the problems that have been created by no-bail policies in major cities. Criminals, especially younger ones, are arrested and almost immediately released with little more than a slap on the wrist.

How’s no bail working out for ya there DC?
Oh, 500%+ increase in carjackings?
Well at least all that injustice has been fixed with absolutely no negative consequences 👍

— 🪑 MurderousPenguin 🦈 (@MurderousPengu1) October 3, 2023

Reducing penalties is not the way to reduce crime. Carjacking is a violent crime.

A House Democrat was reportedly carjacked tonight

Reminder: 173 House Democrats voted to REDUCE penalties for carjacking pic.twitter.com/qPNOsL9mQ6

— John Hasson (@SonofHas) October 3, 2023

Cuellar voted with Republicans against that bill.

Cuellar is serving his 10th term in the House. He represents Texas’s 28th Congressional District, which includes Laredo, Rio Grande City, and San Antonio. He is known as a moderate Democrat who works in a bi-partisan way. He is the only pro-life Democrat in the House.