WASHINGTON — D.C. police have identified the motorcyclist who was fatally shot by an officer after driving his bike into a police car early Sunday.

Terrence Sterling, 31, of Fort Washington, Maryland, was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said in a news release.

The incident began at around 4:30 a.m., when an officer observed a motorcycle driving recklessly near the 1700 block of U Street, Northwest. Another officer spotted the motorcycle near near 3rd and M streets, Northwest.

“The person that was riding the motorcycle attempted to flee,” D.C. Assistant Police Chief Peter Newsham said at the scene. “He ended up striking the police car, and at that point, shots were fired.”

Police are still investigating to see if it was a justified shooting by the officer.

The officer has been placed on administrative leave in accordance with department policy, Newsham said.

WTOP’s Tiffany Arnold contributed to this report.