GA Man ID'd As Person Fatally Shot By Prince George's Officer

CHILLUM, MD — A Georgia man has been identified as the person killed in a police-involved fatal shooting that happened March 26 in Chillum.

The Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General stated that the driver who was fatally shot by a Prince George's County police officer is 32-year-old James Lee, Jr., of Sandy Springs, Georgia.

The involved Prince George’s County Police Department officer has been identified as Lieutenant Charles Cooper, an 11-year veteran assigned to the Bureau of Patrol

The preliminary investigation indicates that on March 26 at about 8:40 p.m., a Prince George’s County police officer conducted a traffic stop near 23^rd Avenue and East-West Highway. The officer called for backup and a second police officer responded.

During the traffic stop, the driver was told to get out of the vehicle and sit on a nearby curb. While an officer searched the vehicle, the driver got back into the car and started to drive off while the officer was inside the car, according to the Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General.

An officer fired his service weapon, hitting the driver. The car then crashed into a utility pole, according to police. Medics took the driver to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The IID continues to investigate the circumstances of this fatal, police-involved shooting. Anyone with information about this incident, including cell phone or private surveillance video, is asked to contact the IID at (410) 576-7070 or by email at IID@oag.maryland.gov.

Two officers on scene were equipped with bodyworn cameras and one officer’s vehicle was equipped with a dash camera. The IID will generally release body-worn camera footage within 20 business days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 20 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.