A D.C. police statement says the man on Tuesday morning heard a popping sound and felt a sharp pain. He is recovering.
Video posted on the website of WJLA-TV shows the man waving and walking down the street and exclaiming "This is awesome." He starts to say "Merry Christmas" when suddenly he turns around, shouts in pain and says he's been shot in the back with a pellet gun.
He was taken to a hospital but is OK.
The man's name was not released, but he says on the video he's glad no one else got hurt.
