Crime & Safety
Officer Fatally Shoots Driver Trying To Flee: Investigators
An investigation has launched into the officer-involved shooting Thursday in Chillum where a man drove off with an officer in his vehicle.
CHILLUM, MD — A fatal police-involved shooting that happened Thursday in Chillum is being investigated by the attorney general's office.
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 23rd 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.
Find out what's happening in Bowiefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The officer fired his service weapon, hitting the driver. The car crashed into a utility pole, according to police.
Medics took the driver to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Find out what's happening in Bowiefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Both officers were taken to an area hospital for injuries not considered life-threatening. The officer who fired his service weapon was equipped with a body-worn camera. The backup officer was equipped with a body-worn camera and his vehicle was outfitted with a dash camera.
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.
The IID will generally release the name of the decedent and any involved officers within two business days of the incident, although that period may be extended, if necessary, pursuant to IID protocol.   
The IID will generally release body-worn and/or dash 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.   
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
