SUITLAND, Md. — After a deadly shooting involving police in a Suitland apartment building last week, authorities are releasing more details about their initial investigation. The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General now says the man who was shot and killed by police following a call for a break-in lived in the apartment where he was shot.
Police identified the man killed as 31-year-old Melvin Jay of Suitland. The officer was identified by IID as Prince George’s County Police Officer Braxton Shelton.
On Feb. 1, at around 5:25 p.m., officers were called to the 5100 block of Suitland Parkway. Investigators say a resident of the apartment called 911 to report a break-in at their home. IID said Jay was not the person who called 911 to report the break-in.
When officers got to the scene, officer Shelton reportedly entered the apartment where he encountered Jay. Police Chief Malik Aziz said there was a verbal argument between Jay and Braxton. During the encounter, IID investigators said Braxton shot Jay. Jay was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the Attorney General's report, two handguns were recovered at the scene near Jay.
Braxton, who has four years of law enforcement experience, was wearing a body camera at the time of the shooting. IID investigators have not yet released the footage to the public. Generally, body camera footage is released within 20 business days of an incident.
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