After a wave of public outcry over the killing of 14-year-old DeOnté Rawlings by two off-duty D.C. police officers in Southeast Monday night, the city has asked the U.S. attorney’s office to take over the investigation into what exactly happened.

Officials have now identified the officers involved as James Haskel, a member of the department’s helicopter unit, who fired the fatal shot, and Anthony Clay, who is assigned to the police training academy.

More details emerged this morning about the incident, some of which corroborated the officers’ story, but others that only begged more questions. The gun allegedly used by the youth to fire upon the officers was not recovered, but .45-caliber shell casings were found at the scene along with MPD’s 9mm casings. However, the mini-bike Rawlings had allegedly stolen could not be accounted for. Lanier explained this by suggesting both bike and gun may have been taken while Haskel was crouching behind his vehicle for safety, waiting for back-up — he had actually exited the car and chased Rawlings before killing him with a bullet to the head. But if that’s true, what was Clay, who remained in the car, doing all that time? Why and/or how would Haskel end up crouching behind the car if he shot Rawlings some distance away after a foot race? And when, exactly, did either of the officers call for back-up?

Mayor Fenty announced the involvement of the U.S. attorney’s office in the investigation on the steps of the Wilson Building earlier this afternoon, and it’s the right call. He also promised the city would locate the missing gun — which may not have been the wisest move politically considering how charged up this story is quickly becoming. Here’s hoping he can make good.