PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. β Police say an off-duty officer fired his weapon after someone carjacked him and his family Thursday evening.
According to the Prince George's County Police Department, it happened around 5 p.m. in the parking lot of 6701 Oxon Hill Road.
"An officer was loading his family into his personal vehicle when he was carjacked by some suspects. The officer was able to get his family safely out of the vehicle and discharged his weapon. The suspects escaped including his personal vehicle," said Prince George's County Police Assistant Chief Vernon Hale III.
Hale believes there were at least two suspects, but could not confirm if they were armed.
Police also wouldn't confirm how many shots were fired by the officer.
Investigators had the parking lot, which is across the street from National Harbor Tanger Outlets, for several hours.
"Right now we're collecting all the evidence we can we're scouring the area for any video any witnesses any evidence that may be on the ground or nearby and continuing to look for these suspects and this vehicle," said Assistant Chief Hale.
This is just the latest carjacking in Prince George's County. Since the start of the year, through December 25, there were 495 carjackings in the county, according to data from Prince George's County Police.
That's compared to 422 carjackings in the county in 2022.
"Be aware of your surroundings as you can see if this can happen to an off-duty officer it can certainly happen to a family and so we want to make sure everybody remains diligent and takes care of one another and keeps your eyes open," said Hale.
The suspects got away in the police officer's personal car and no injuries have been reported at this time.
No suspect descriptions have been released by police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact PGPD at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com or through the βP3 Tipsβ mobile phone app (search βP3 Tipsβ in the Apple Store or Google Play to download.)
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