Four people are facing murder charges in Prince George’s County, Maryland, for the killing of a D.C. teenager who was reported missing two months ago.
Four people are facing murder charges in Prince George’s County, Maryland, for the killing of a D.C. teenager who was reported missing for months.
A release issued Saturday by the Prince George’s County Police identified three of the suspects — all D.C. natives — as Jose Merlos-Majano, 18, Alan Josai Garcia-Padilla, 21, and William Cuellar Gutierrez, 19.
The fourth suspect was only identified as a 17-year-old from Hyattsville, Maryland.
The teenager at the center of the homicide case is Jefferson Amaya-Ayala, 14, who was last seen in the District on Aug. 2, 2025, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
It wasn’t until Nov. 3 that investigators with the D.C. police and the FBI Cross Border Task Force found Amaya-Ayala’s remains in College Park, Maryland, during a search of the Indian Creek Stream Valley Park, police said.
Preliminary findings, according to police, suggest Amaya-Ayala was “lured to the park and murdered” the same day he was last seen in D.C. It’s believed he knew at least one of the suspects.
While the killing is also thought to be gang-related, investigators have not yet pinpointed a motive, police said.
Two of the suspects, Merlos-Majano and Garcia-Padilla, are awaiting extradition to Prince George’s County from D.C. and Alexandria, Virginia, respectively. Both Cuellar Gutierrez and the Hyattsville teen are already in custody at the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections.
Anyone with information regarding the homicide case is urged to call 301-516-2512. You can also contact the Prince George’s County Crime Solvers online or reach out to investigators by calling 1-866-411-8477.
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A person of interest is in custody after a series of shootings on Sunday in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, that left one man dead and two other people injured.
A person of interest is in custody after a series of shootings on Sunday in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, that left one man dead and two other people injured.
Prince George’s County Police Chief George Nader said it began shortly after 7 a.m., when officers were called to Watkins Park Plaza for a report of an unresponsive man. They found 65-year-old Joseph Holt III, of Upper Marlboro, dead inside his car from a gunshot wound.
Nearly 13 hours later, around 8:10 p.m., officers were called to the 12000 block of Darlenen Street for reports of a shooting and found a man shot inside his vehicle.
As police investigated, they found a second victim, a woman, inside her vehicle on Cambleton Drive. She had been shot in the stomach, according to Nader.
Both the man and woman were taken to the hospital. Police described the man as being in stable condition and woman as being in critical, but stable, condition.
A third person in the area had been shot at while in their vehicle, but was not struck, police said in a news release.
Police quickly canvassed the area and found a person of interest on Cambleton Drive. A rifle was recovered and has been linked to Holt’s killing earlier in the day.
“We have the person we believe responsible, person of interest, in custody,” Nader said.
Police do not believe the shooter knew any of the victims.
“We don’t think it was a D.C. Sniper type incident, but we do believe one individual was responsible for all of those shootings,” Nader said.
He added that there is no ongoing threat to the community. As for a motive, Nader said it remains under investigation.
“There may be robberies, but there may be some other significance that comes up with this individual as we explore a little bit more into their history,” he said.
Nader also commended the bravery of the officers who took the person of interest into custody.
“If they had not acted as fast as they did … this individual would not have been apprehended as fast as they were, and we don’t know what the other outcomes could be from that,” he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Prince George’s County Police’s Homicide Unit at 301-516-2512.
One man has been arrested and charged with murder after police in Prince George’s County said he took part in a gunfight outside a banquet hall that left three people dead.
One man has been arrested and charged with murder after police in Prince George’s County said he took part in a gunfight outside a banquet hall that left three people dead over the weekend.
The shooting happened early Saturday morning outside Irving’s in Marlow Heights and involved people who were attending a birthday party at the establishment, according to police. Irving’s has been shut down and county officials implied the banquet hall did not follow proper security protocols.
Pierre Davis, 33, of D.C., 26-year-old Kevon Williams, also of D.C., and 27-year-old Ronez Proctor, of Waldorf, Maryland, were killed as a result of the gunfight.
Davis and Williams, police said, killed each other in an exchange of gunfire, while 39-year-old Antonio Lancaster, of Laurel, Maryland, is charged with Proctor’s murder.
Lancaster was arrested after the shooting in Fairfax County, Virginia, and is awaiting extradition to Maryland. He’s been charged with first and second-degree murder as well as two counts of attempted murder and other gun charges.
An argument inside Irving’s, which was hosting the private birthday party, led to the shootout. As of Monday, Irving’s is closed and a hearing will take place to determine whether or not the business can reopen.
“You cannot wreak this kind of havoc in our community and expect to go unpunished,” Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson said during a news conference on Monday.
Police said Proctor was not armed nor involved in the gunfight. According to charging documents, Proctor tried to help one of the other men who’d been shot, which led to a struggle between him and a group of partygoers. During that struggle, the documents say, Proctor was pushed to the ground, at which point Lancaster approached him and fatally shot him from close range.
“We believe that alcohol contributed to irrational thinking and behavior — not that it excuses anything that happened. But it also explains why it’s really important for these establishments to abide by the law, because if there are disputes, security should be there to address those disputes, both inside and outside of these establishments,” Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy said.
During Monday’s news conference, Braveboy said this shooting serves as a warning to businesses in the county that are not prioritizing public safety.
“Having establishments open that late at night without security is a problem, and it’s a problem that will not be tolerated in Prince George’s County,” she said. “This is your notice that we will shut you down, that you must have a security plan on file with the Prince George’s County Police Department, that you must have operating cameras inside and outside of your establishments.”
Police said they believe the men who opened fire outside Irving’s did know each other in some way, as the birthday party was invite-only.
Authorities also recommend never going alone to meet a stranger. Bringing a friend or family member adds an extra layer of safety and can help spot red flags.
Police in Prince George’s County, Maryland, are urging residents to slow down and take extra precautions when buying or selling items online during this holiday season, particularly through platforms like Facebook Marketplace, where scams and risky meetups can quickly turn dangerous.
Officer Chaudlier Shepherd says one of the most important steps is verifying who you’re dealing with before agreeing to a transaction. That includes checking for a legitimate profile photo, reviewing the seller’s account history and, if possible, calling a listed phone number to confirm the person is real.
Authorities also recommend never going alone to meet a stranger. Bringing a friend or family member adds an extra layer of safety and can help spot red flags. Above all, police say residents should trust their instincts — especially when a deal sounds too good to be true.
“If someone is offering a $1,000 TV for a dollar, that should raise immediate concern,” Shepherd said, noting that unrealistic prices are often tied to scams or setups meant to lure victims into unsafe situations.
To reduce risk, officials encourage completing online transactions at police stations. Many departments allow residents to meet in parking lots or even inside station lobbies. In some cases, officers may be available to stand nearby during an exchange, providing an “extra security blanket.”
Police are also reminding shoppers to stay vigilant when purchasing gift cards, a popular target for scammers. While Prince George’s County Police say they have not seen a recent spike in gift card tampering, residents are urged to examine cards closely before buying them.
If a gift card appears scratched, altered, or otherwise damaged, police recommend returning it immediately and requesting a refund or replacement. Scammers can sometimes drain gift cards before they’re purchased by tampering with the packaging.
Authorities say most scams still originate through phone calls, emails, texts or online messages, and they encourage residents to pause, verify information and report suspicious activity.
For more safety tips or to report a scam, residents can contact the Prince George’s County Police Department.
Genetic genealogy helps solve cold cases, and the Prince George’s County Police Department used federal funds dedicated to it to solve the Sherry Crandell case.
It took nearly 28 years for police in Prince George’s County, Maryland, to determine the identity of the man detectives say killed 50-year-old Sherry Crandell back in 1998.
The case had gone cold until a few years ago, when the department turned to what’s known as “genetic genealogy” in the hopes of using DNA taken from the crime scene to look for new leads.
“Its effectiveness has led to the Department of Justice, basically expanding its grant programs so that local law enforcement can take advantage of this process, because it’s an expensive process,” said Robert Dean, a special assistant state’s attorney in Prince George’s County. “The actual laboratory work, a lot of that is done by private labs, and they charge.”
Typically, a case costs between $30,000 to $60,000. Prince George’s County applied for and was awarded a $500,000 grant in 2020 to help solve cases such as the Crandell case.
“I’m proud to say that this was the first case that was submitted for testing,” said County Executive Aisha Braveboy, who was the county’s top prosecutor at the time the grant application was submitted.
The closest genetic hit that investigators got came from a fourth cousin of the suspect. The FBI has also started providing local departments with greater resources, especially on the genealogical side.
“Our investigative genetic genealogy team started working Sherry’s case four years ago,” said Jimmy Paul, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. “They kept at it, following lead after lead, a thorough, detailed and time consuming process, which finally paid off this year.”
It’s a process that’s worthwhile, he added.
“Through investigative genetic genealogy, investigators are able to solve the worst of the worst crimes and identify the worst of the worst criminals, even when decades have passed since the crimes took place,” Paul said.
Millions of federal grant dollars are now available to departments that apply for them to solve cases with genetic genealogy. Dean said without that support, the Crandell case would not yet be solved.
“It would have taken longer. So maybe we would be talking, instead of four years after this grant was available, maybe eight years,” he said. “The technology is there, but accessing the technology does cost money.”
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Two Beltsville, Maryland, men were arrested and charged this week after police said they made dozens of thefts and burglaries in which the pair reportedly targeted sheds and vehicles to take power tools and lawn equipment.
Two Beltsville, Maryland, men were arrested and charged this week after police said they made dozens of thefts and burglaries in which the pair reportedly targeted sheds and vehicles to take power tools and lawn equipment.
According to police, 27-year-old Paul Moegel III and 31-year-old Christopher Talbott face 144 charges and 97 charges, respectively, in a case that dates back to June 2024.
In a video posted by police, items including nail guns, lawnmowers and yard trimmers are among the items recovered.
The pair will remain in police custody. Moegel and Talbott are expected back in court for a preliminary hearing Nov. 26.
Police urge anyone who believes items in the photos and videos could be theirs to get in touch with them at 301-937-0910.
The investigation is still underway, and police say anyone with information about the case can contact Crime Solvers online or call 1-866-411-TIPS.
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Prince George’s County police have charged a man with placing three skimming devices on ATMs at county gas stations in one day, and are offering tips on how to avoid having personal financial data stolen.
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PGPD charges man who placed skimmers on ATMs
Prince George’s County police have charged a man with placing three skimming devices on ATMs at gas stations in one day — and are offering tips on how to avoid having personal financial data stolen.
The county police’s Financial Crimes Unit said its preliminary investigation determined 34-year-old Pioter Fedorenko, of no fixed addressed, recorded himself placing both a camera and a skimming device on an ATM at a gas station in Brandywine, Maryland, on Oct. 2.
On the same day, police said Fedorenko placed a total of three skimmers on ATMs at two gas stations. In a news release, police said investigators recovered all three devices hours later, preventing the suspect from stealing any personal financial data from those who used the machines that day.
Prince George’s County police said skimming devices can be placed at ATMs and point of sale terminals inside retail stores, grocery stores, convenience stores — essentially any location where credit card transactions are conducted. According to the county’s financial crimes unit, so far this year, approximately 45 skimmers have been recovered within the county.
Police said swiping a credit card or debit card places you at a higher risk than contactless payment systems, including Apple Pay or other “tap to pay” machines. And the risk rises in locations with heavy customer traffic.
According to police, it’s safer to use a bank’s ATM that’s located indoors, rather than one installed on an exterior wall.
Detectives investigating skimming devices can be reached at 301-516-1464. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online.
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Prince George’s County officials have launched a new law enforcement partnership to improve responses to domestic violence calls. With a signed memorandum of understanding, police and sheriff departments will collaborate to provide faster, more effective support for victims.
Sheriff John Carr speaks at a news conference on Tuesday about the county’s extended domestic violence prevention program.(Credit Prince George’s County Police)
Sheriff John Carr speaks at a news conference on Tuesday about the county’s extended domestic violence prevention program.(Credit Prince George’s County Police)
A law enforcement partnership hopes to strengthen the response to domestic violence calls in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and get residents the help they need.
County Executive Aisha Braveboy, Police Chief George Nader and Sheriff John Carr signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday, allowing the Sheriff’s Department to assist with domestic violence calls in certain districts.
“We want every victim to feel empowered here in Prince George’s County,” Braveboy said.
Nader said he’s grateful for the partnership, which will allow police officers to respond to calls faster, keep more officers out in the streets doing proactive patrols and create a streamline of services for domestic violence victims.
“When you’re in a volatile relationship, it typically is not going to get better without some kind of intervention. We have that intervention in Prince George’s County,” Nader said. “We have people that can assist you. You just need to reach out to us and let us know.”
Domestic violence is often driven by mental health issues or drug addiction, among other issues, according to Braveboy, and the Sheriff’s Office will soon be able to respond to calls differently.
“(Officers) can spend more time with the family,” she said. “They can follow these cases through the court system and really be a stronger partner with the victim and with the family.”
That includes utilizing the Family Justice Center and providing access to numerous nonprofit organizations.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Carr said cases typically increase as we enter the holiday season, with more people feeling the stress of financial pressures.
“What we’re trying to do is be more proactive and respond from the beginning,” Carr said. “How can we be more efficient and effective serving you, going out and educating … providing those resources?”
Law enforcement officials also shared new crime statistics showing that since the beginning of the year, Prince George’s County has seen an overall reduction in violent crime of 22%. That includes a 57% reduction in carjackings and a 32% reduction in homicides. Robberies are down 49% and property crime is down 14%.
“That is significant,” Braveboy said. “We are using technology. We’re using intelligence. We are in really good shape when it comes to fighting crime here in Prince George’s County.”
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A federal jury has awarded $2.35 million to former Prince George’s County Police officer Mohamed Magassouba, who said he was fired after refusing to change his testimony in a 2019 use-of-force case against another officer.
Mohamed Magassouba and Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy(Credit Mohamed Magassouba)
Mohamed Magassouba and Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy(Credit Mohamed Magassouba)
A jury has awarded $2.35 million to former Prince George’s County police officer Mohamed Magassouba, who said he was fired after refusing to change his testimony in a 2019 use-of-force case against another officer.
The verdict, which was reached this week in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, found Magassouba’s 2021 termination was “retaliatory” and “violated his civil rights.”
His attorney, Jordan “JD” Howlette, wrote the “verdict confirms what the evidence has shown all along — the targeted retaliation that Officer Mohamed Magassouba suffered at the hands of Prince George’s County was unlawful.”
According to court documents, Magassouba, who served for over a decade on the force, was removed from patrol duties and later fired after refusing to alter his account of a 2019 arrest involving a white officer who used force on a Black woman in front of her son. The incident, which was recorded and circulated widely on social media, drew public criticism at the time.
Howlette said Magassouba faced years of retaliation, including unwarranted discipline and reassignment under a supervisor who allegedly made discriminatory remarks about his African heritage.
In a statement from Howlette, he said the incident should never have happened, but “it stands as proof that justice can prevail. We need more officers like Officer Magassouba, who put their oath to protect citizens above institutional loyalty.”
“This verdict sends a message that the days of protecting wrongdoers and punishing those who tell the truth are over,” he wrote. “Accountability is no longer optional.”
Civil rights leaders from the local branches of the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference praised the outcome during a virtual news conference Friday, calling it a “victory for justice” and a step toward accountability in one of Maryland’s largest police departments.
“We love our law enforcement,” said Josephine Mourning, president of the Prince George’s County SCLC. “But we want them to show integrity in their job, as all of us have to show integrity in ours.”
The case follows years of scrutiny of the Prince George’s County Police Department, which in 2021 agreed to pay $25 million to settle a class-action lawsuit by Black and Latino officers who alleged systemic racism and retaliation within the department.
Magassouba, who joined the department in 2009, has since gone on to lead in other local law enforcement roles. He was named Capitol Heights Police Department’s Officer of the Year in 2024 and appointed as the chief of police there in May of this year.
“The department had to create a false illusion about my personality, of who I am as a person. So they were basically saying that I was arrested for armed robbery or attempted sexual assault. And everything was false, and that’s not who I am. And it did create a conflict in my household, and me and my wife had to have marital counseling,” Magassouba said.
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Prince George’s County Police will be out in force this weekend, but it’s not all about making arrests. It’s part of a program called “Blue Lights Nights” to increase community engagement.
Prince George’s County Police will be out in force this weekend, but it’s not all about making arrests.
The move to roll more officers out on the streets Friday and Saturday, officials said, is part of a program called “Blue Lights Nights,” which has the goal of fostering community and civic engagement, along with stepping up traffic enforcement and crime prevention.
As many as 30 different law enforcement agencies, including Prince George’s County Police and sheriff’s deputies, along with the D.C. police department and Metro Transit Police Department, will be out in communities across Prince George’s County.
“We’re looking to interact with our community, hear from our community, see what their concerns are and just make sure we are available for them,” Prince George’s County Police Chief George Nader said. “We are going to be doing some traffic stops. This is not a stat-driven engagement initiative by any means. This is a community engagement initiative.”
Nader said during a news conference Wednesday in Upper Marlboro that community engagement and policing means building more trust and transparency with citizens. He said when he and the other law enforcement leaders came up with the idea, they wanted to make it family friendly.
“We’re having things for kids, we’re having movie nights. We’re really looking at a great two days,” he said. “What we want to do is flood our communities with police officers to go out there and have a positive influence on our communities.”
Nader said extra officers will be on patrol, and he insisted this is not to drive up arrest statistics, but to engage with Prince George’s County’s residents. He wasn’t able to provide an immediate number of extra officers that will be working those dates, but said it would be a substantial increase.
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A Waldorf, Maryland, woman is on the loose after police say she stabbed and killed her 81-year-old grandmother and stabbed another family member inside a Fort Washington home.
A Waldorf, Maryland, woman is on the loose after police say she stabbed and killed her 81-year-old grandmother and stabbed another family member inside a Fort Washington home Sunday.
Prince George’s County police said in a news release they were called to the grandmother’s home in the 500 block of Bonhill Drive for a welfare check at approximately 1:50 p.m. There, they found 81-year-old Helen Thomas suffering from stab wounds. She died inside the home. Police also found another family member stabbed. He is currently in critical but stable condition, police said.
Breante Thomas, 28, is charged with first- and second-degree murder, attempted first- and second-degree murder and other related charges.
Police said she was last seen fleeing the scene in a white 2012 Volkswagen Passat with Maryland tags 3FF3906.
The Prince George’s County Police Department is asking for the community’s assistance in finding Breante, and urging anyone with information on where she is to call 911.
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Police in Prince George’s County, Maryland, are advising spectators that the Joint Base Andrews Air Show is no longer accepting additional visitors.
For those heading to the Joint Base Andrews Air Show in Camp Springs, Maryland, police are advising spectators that the show is no longer accepting additional visitors.
Sources tell WTOP that there is an issue with processing that is preventing them from getting into the show.
Also, parking at Northwest Stadium has reached maximum capacity.
As a result, anyone going there will be turned away.
The shuttle wait time at Northwest Stadium was two hours as of noon.
If you’ve already parked at the stadium, then you will be admitted.
Stay with WTOP for the latest updates.
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A man is accused of driving Dacara Thompson to his home in Bowie, Maryland, killing her in the bedroom and leaving her body in a grassy area where she was later found by police.
Prince George’s County Police Chief George Nader participates in a Sept. 5 news conference announcing murder charges in connection to the death of 19-year-old Dacara Thompson.
(WTOP/Jose Umana)
WTOP/Jose Umana
A missing person flyer for Dacara Thompson, 19, of Prince George’s County, Maryland.
(Courtesy 7News)
Courtesy 7News
Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy participates in Sept. 5 news conference regarding the death of 19-year-old Dacara Thompson.
(WTOP/Jose Umana)
WTOP/Jose Umana
A man has been charged in the killing of a 19-year-old woman from Prince George’s County, Maryland, whose body was found last weekend after she was reported missing in late August.
Hugo Hernandez-Mendez, 35, was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree murder in Dacara Thompson’s death, investigators said Friday morning.
Hernandez-Mendez is accused of driving Thompson to his home in Bowie, killing her in the bedroom and leaving her body in a grassy area where she was later found by investigators.
A timeline of events by police
Surveillance footage showed Thompson willingly getting into a black SUV at around 3 a.m. on Aug. 23, police said. The driver, believed to be Hernandez-Mendez, took the young woman to his home in the 12000 block of Kembridge Drive in Bowie.
“We believe everything transpired in the bedroom,” said George Nader, the interim chief of Prince George’s County police. “What is surrounding the two coming together, that’s what we’re still investigating.”
Police believe Hernandez-Mendez brought her body to a spot near Route 50 in Anne Arundel County. That’s where Maryland State Police later found a body, now identified as Thompson, on Sunday, Aug. 31 — about one week after Thompson’s family reported her as missing.
The body was discovered as police followed up on a call about a disabled vehicle, which they believe is unrelated to the killing.
“That area is probably about seven miles away from the murder location, but a good distance away from where she went missing,” Nader said. “So we are thankful that the Maryland State Police had the ability to locate that body based on that call for service.”
State police contacted Prince George’s County police after finding the woman’s body.
County police identified Hernandez-Mendez as a suspect. Detectives got a search warrant for Hernandez-Mendez’s home, where they said they found evidence she was killed in the bedroom.
Hernandez-Mendez is being held without bond. He’s expected to appear at a bond hearing Monday to determine whether he should remain held, according to online court records.
Investigators are looking into whether Thompson and Hernandez-Mendez knew each other before Aug. 23.
During a Friday news conference, it was revealed Hernandez-Mendez was an immigrant without proper legal status in the U.S.
He was arrested by U.S. Park Police last April on a charge of driving under the influence, Braveboy said. He was released while awaiting his trial.
At that time, he was not detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But Nader said an ICE detainer was issued for Hernandez-Mendez on Thursday.
Thompson’s cause of death hasn’t been determined but is expected to be ruled a homicide, police said. Officials did not share details about the manner of her death.
There are no other suspects in her killing at this time, police said.
Police are asking anyone with more information to call Prince George’s County police at 301-516-2512.
A 19-year-old who served her community
Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy thanked the community and law enforcement for their efforts to find Thompson.
Thompson had graduated from St. Charles High School in Charles County.
She lived with her father in Lanham.
Thompson was participating in a “Service Year Option,” a program launched by Gov. Wes Moore in 2023. Young adults get placed in a service position that’s an area of interest, with the hope being it helps recent graduates prepare for their future career.
In a statement, Moore called Thompson a “bright light in our state.”
“She yearned to be part of our mission to solve big problems with bold solutions through her passion for the arts,” the governor wrote.
“This is a young woman who dedicated part of her young life to serving others,” Braveboy said. “I want that to ring home to all of you that this is a good, good, good young woman who wanted to do good for her community, and now her community will stand behind her family as we seek justice for her.”
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Over the course of the last few months, someone has allegedly been placing incendiary devices on the property of fire station 805 in Capitol Heights, Maryland.
The person is dressed in black pants and wearing a unique jacket from the “Members Only” brand with red letters that say “Tom and Jerry” and a cartoon bulldog with a caption that reads “1 bad boy.”
(Courtesy Prince George’s County Police)
Courtesy Prince George’s County Police
The video shows a person carrying what appears to be Molotov cocktails and placing them at the base of a flagpole and in a mailbox.
(Courtesy Prince George’s County Police)
Courtesy Prince George’s County Police
Officials held a news conference on Aug. 27, 2025, to ask for the public’s help in locating a suspect.
(WTOP/Alan Etter)
WTOP/Alan Etter
Officials in Prince George’s County said it has happened three times over the past “few months.” They did not want to be specific about dates and times for fear of compromising the investigation.
(WTOP/Alan Etter)
WTOP/Alan Etter
Over the course of the last few months, someone has allegedly been placing incendiary devices on the property of Fire Station 805 in Capitol Heights, Maryland.
Officials in Prince George’s County said it has happened three times over the past few months. They did not specify dates and times for fear of compromising the investigation.
During a news conference Wednesday, police, along with officials from the Prince George’s County Fire & EMS Department, the Capitol Heights Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, released information, including a video that officials said shows a suspect committing the crimes on Aug. 13.
The video shows a person carrying what appears to be Molotov cocktails and placing them at the base of a flagpole and in a mailbox.
He’s dressed in black pants and wearing a unique jacket from the “Members Only” brand with red letters that say “Tom and Jerry” and a cartoon bulldog with a caption that reads “1 bad boy.”
“We were very fortunate to get very, very good pictures and video of the suspect,” said Assistant Fire Chief Carroll Spriggs. “And so now, we have a great opportunity to get that person in and to question him.”
There have been no other such incidents at any other county fire stations, and Spriggs believes the Capitol Heights station is being specifically targeted in order to intimidate the personnel there.
No one has been injured from the devices.
Officials are particularly interested in catching the suspect because the areas in which the devices have placed are accessible by the public. Schools are located nearby, and there is concern a child might come in contact with one of the devices.
A $7,500 reward is being offered for information leading to a conviction.
Officials are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Solvers online, the “P3 Tips” mobile app or call 866-411-8477.
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Prince George’s County police cadets teamed up with autism advocacy groups for a hands-on traffic stop training in Upper Marlboro. The event aimed to foster safer, more informed interactions between law enforcement and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Prince George’s County police cadets teamed up with autism advocacy groups for a hands-on traffic stop training in Upper Marlboro. The event aimed to foster safer, more informed interactions between law enforcement and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.(WTOP/John Domen)
Prince George’s County police cadets teamed up with autism advocacy groups for a hands-on traffic stop training in Upper Marlboro. The event aimed to foster safer, more informed interactions between law enforcement and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.(WTOP/John Domen)
The lights were real and so were the sirens, and there were tons of cops around. But those driving the squad cars were cadets, and it was all happening in an Upper Marlboro parking lot where the “road” was lined with orange cones.
On Thursday morning, the class of cadets on their way to becoming the next wave of Prince George’s County police officers were practicing traffic stops in a lot behind Riverdale Baptist School. In most cases, riding with them was someone with autism.
“It’s beneficial for both,” said Lt. Nicole McGowen, the commanding officer of the Basic Officer Training Academy with the Prince George’s County Police Department. “The students get a chance to practice more on how to do a traffic stop. But the participants get to practice how to interact with police officers as well.”
Groups such as Pathfinders for Autism and The Arc of Prince George’s County were also on hand. As groups that work closely with kids and young adults who struggle with various intellectual disabilities, they know a lot about the heightened anxiety and stress that can occur when someone is pulled over.
“We want people to be aware of people with disabilities,” said Melonee Clark with The Arc. “They engage in our community, and they want to feel safe. And so this event is so magnificent because it gives us a chance to engage with officers.”
It’s also helpful for new officers who might not have a lot of experience around someone with autism.
“We want to help law enforcement curate a culture within their departments that allows them to feel comfortable with interacting with communities that have … intellectual developmental disabilities,” and autism spectrum disorder, said McKenzie Warren, who is also with The Arc.
“There’s not a lot of information out there about how to interact with people with IDD or ASD, and we want to make sure that our officers have a chance and that our young adults, everybody in between, has a chance to say, ‘Hey, there’s an officer. I don’t have to be fearful, and I know how to interact with them, and they know how to interact with us,’” she added.
Tips and insights for safer traffic stops
One stop led to a conversation between someone with autism and one of the cadets about watching “Cops” on television. It was also an opportunity for those who showed up to ask questions about traffic stops and what’s expected of them during those kinds of interactions.
McGowen had some advice for anyone who hopes to make it a smooth experience if they get pulled over: “Listen to what the officer is telling them. Don’t make sudden movements. That’s always a sign that heightens the whole situation,” she said.
McGowen said clear communication is what’s going to get everyone “through the traffic stop just fine.”
Having both hands on the steering wheel, where an officer can see them, is also a help.
“If you are in a dark area, if you can see a parking lot up, a little bit up the road, it’s not going to hurt to pull a little bit further up the road into that well lit parking lot,” she added.
Turning your hazards on while doing that serves as a signal that you’re aware you’re being pulled over and not trying to flee.
“We’re going to put the spotlight in the car, but that can only do so much sometimes. So if you are able to turn that interior light on as we’re approaching that’s not going to hurt the situation,” she added.
Another thing you might not have known is that on every initial approach, the officer will touch the back of your vehicle. Part of that is to make sure the trunk or hatchback is securely closed and no surprises are awaiting.
“But it’s also they’re putting their fingerprints on the back,” she said. “If something does happen during that traffic stop, that vehicle is found later, that officers fingerprints are now on the vehicle.”
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One person has been killed and at least one more was wounded in a shooting near the Eastover Shopping Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland, police said.
One person has been killed and at least one more was wounded in a shooting near the Eastover Shopping Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland, police said.
It happened Wednesday around 2 p.m. in the 5100 block of Indian Head Highway Service Road, police said.
Both of the people who were shot are male, police said. One died at the scene and a teenage boy was taken to the hospital. The teenage boy’s injuries are considered not life-threatening, WTOP’s Alan Etter reported live from the scene.
Police said a third person left the scene without being transported to a hospital. The third person who did not receive medical treatment “was injured just trying to get away from the scene,” Etter said.
Police said the shooting is under investigation and there is currently no information on a suspect.
Both lanes of traffic are closed around the area on Southern Avenue and motorists are instructed to follow police direction.
Below is the area where the shooting happened:
A shooting happened in the 5100 block of Indian Head Highway in Prince George’s County, Maryland. (Google Maps)
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With the goal of clearing her name, former Lt. Sonya Zollicoffer said she is suing the police union and an officer from another department that recommended she be let go.
Sonya Zollicoffer, a former Prince George’s County police internal affairs officer, says she was essentially forced to retire in 2017.(Courtesy Sonya Zollicoffer)
Sonya Zollicoffer, a former Prince George’s County police internal affairs officer, says she was essentially forced to retire in 2017.(Courtesy Sonya Zollicoffer)
A former Prince George’s County police internal affairs officer has filed a federal lawsuit against her union, after she claimed an attorney for the union prevented her from going after the department on her own for what she called “a case of retaliation against her.”
With the goal of clearing her name, former Lt. Sonya Zollicoffer said she is suing the union and a police officer from another department that recommended she be let go.
“Let me tell you, I sat in my car plenty of times crying. … Why me?” Zollicoffer told WTOP.
Zollicoffer, who is Black, claims the case stems from a 2017 investigation she did, during which she recommended charges against two white police officers she believed both profiled and used excessive force on a man during a traffic stop.
She claimed after her recommendation, the case was reassigned and Zollicoffer was promoted out of the internal affairs division. Once in a new area of the department, Zollicoffer said she discovered the dash camera video evidence she used to support her case against the officers was different.
“I looked at my own copy, and then I realized seven minutes is missing,” she said.
At this point, she said, from her new position, she pushed for the original video to be located and it ultimately resulted in her being reprimanded by a panel of officers, demoted and later recommended for dismissal by an officer with another department who investigated her alleged actions.
The two officers she investigated were later cleared.
The Prince George’s County Police Department declined to comment on pending litigation, they said in an email to WTOP.
Zollicoffer said she was essentially forced to retire, to avoid a drop in her pension payouts. In 2018, she began to challenge what happened to her in court.
While fighting the case, Zollicoffer said she joined a class action discrimination lawsuit against the department by some Black and brown officers, and settling that case resulted in her being unable to file a suit against the department for her matter.
“That attorney (the union attorney) had a duty to inform her of the rights that she would immediately lose,” said Zollicoffer’s attorney, Jordan Howlette.
In her lawsuit, Zollicoffer also claimed the union would assign her legal counsel who also represented the two officers she had been investigating.
“On multiple occasions, Ms. Zollicoffer informed Defendant FOP that she objected to the representation because of the direct conflict,” the lawsuit states.
WTOP reached out to FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) Lodge 89 and it declined to comment on the case.
Howlette said being unable to go after the department — his hope in this case — if successful, could result in the clearing of Zollicoffer’s name.
“The entire thing, the entire negative effect on her personnel record, we’re seeking that all be abated and taken out of her personnel records,” he said.
For Zollicoffer, she said fighting this is about restoring her reputation.
“I didn’t deserve this. I didn’t do anything wrong,” Zollicoffer said.
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