Body-Worn Camera Footage Released In Fatal Police Pursuit In Suitland

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Body-worn camera footage has been released from the fatal pursuit that happened Aug. 13 in Morningside.

Rogelio Sánchez Gomez, 44, of Suitland died two days after the crash. According to the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, around 1:40 p.m. Aug. 13, police received a call about a black BMW car following another vehicle and firing shots. The driver of the vehicle being chased contacted 911.

Several minutes later, an officer with the Morningside Police Department spied a BMW matching the description of the suspect vehicle traveling along Suitland Road. Police engaged in a pursuit and as the BMW was approaching the intersection of Suitland Road and Allentown Road, the driver lost control and hit another car that was in a northbound turning lane on Allentown Road, which was occupied by Gomez.

The driver of the BMW, a man, took off on foot. He was apprehended by Morningside Police and taken to an area hospital with minor injuries. A loaded handgun was recovered from the BMW at the scene. Gomez and two children were inside the car that was hit by the BMW. Gomez was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. The children in the vehicle suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital where they were treated and released.

The body-worn camera footage can be viewed online.