WEST LANHAM HILLS, Md. — Officers with the New Carrollton Police Department shot and killed a man wanted by DC Police following an hours-long manhunt Tuesday morning. According to New Carrollton Police Chief David Rice, two of his officers shot and wounded a man in West Lanham Hills. He later died, police said.
According to police, the suspect was responsible for an 11-hour carjacking rampage in the District in Maryland left a trail of murder and terror.
A witness told police the suspect was suffering a mental health crisis, according to MPD Executive Assistant Chief Jeffrey Carroll.
In the end, one carjacking victim was killed and another carjacking victim is in critical condition after being shot. The suspect also shot at two police vehicles in two different locations during the rampage, which included at least five carjackings or attempted carjackings.
It ended on Annapolis Road in the Lanham Hills section of Prince George’s County where two New Carrolton Maryland officers were confronted by the suspect. The officers shot and killed him.
He was identified Wednesday as 28-year-old Artell Cunningham of Suitland, Maryland.
The New Carrollton police chief said the shooting happened right around 5 a.m. at 7575 Annapolis Road, in the parking lot of the Brite N Clean Laundromat, right off Veterans Parkway. Police said officers discharged their weapon and struck one suspect. That person, later identified as Cunningham, was taken into custody. Around 8 a.m., officers updated media to say he'd died.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the man was linked to a string of carjackings and shootings in the D.C. starting Monday evening.
Here's the timeline of events:
Around 5:45 p.m., on K Street Northwest, he entered a parked vehicle in the area, was in the car for a short period of time, and during which he shot the person inside. He then left the vehicle, and the person who was shot exited the car to the sidewalk where they collapsed. He was taken to a local hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries.
Around 7:05 p.m., he then attempted another carjacking on 3rd Street Northeast, but was not successful and left.
Around 7:15 p.m., he was in the 3rd and N streets Northeast area and approached two people who were outside of a vehicle, showed a gun -- demanding the vehicle. He then shot the person, took the vehicle, and left. The person who was shot was pronounced dead.
He was later identified as 35-year-old Alberto Vasquez Jr. of no fixed address.
Through an investigation, and help from eye witnesses, a potential suspect was developed.
The vehicle was then found dumped in Prince George's County, and at least two more carjackings occurred in Prince George's County.
Around 2 a.m., Maryland State Police troopers said the man shot at a trooper who was helping a stranded motorist in the southbound lanes of I-95 near Highway 198 in Laurel. The trooper was not hurt, nor was the stranded motorist.
During a search for the suspect, MPD saw the vehicle around Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. The man in the carjacked vehicle shot at the driver's side of the MPD cruiser and left the area. The officer was not injured.
Around 4 a.m., the vehicle was then found in Prince George's County. Officers with the New Carrollton Police Department were investigating when the man approached the officers. A preliminary investigation revealed the man drew two guns on the officers, and the officers shot and killed the man. Two weapons were recovered from the scene.
MPD believes the person who was shot and killed by officers is the person wanted for the carjackings in the District.
Additional information about that person, including information about their identity, has not been made public. Identities are expected in the coming days.
Police did say the man shot by police was known to officers in D.C., but not for anything like this.
The shooting investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact DC Police at 202-727-9099 or Prince George's County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.
The Maryland Office of the Attorney General is investigating the circumstances surrounding the officers' use of force. Thomas Lester, a spokesperson for the attorney general office, said the officers involved were wearing body cameras.
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