SUITLAND, Md. — An officer who shot and killed a man while responding to a reported break-in at an apartment building in Suitland has been identified.
The Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General has not only identified the officer but also the man who was killed in the shooting that occurred on February 1 in Suitland, Maryland.
The victim has been identified as 31-year-old Melvin Jay of Suitland.
The officer who shot Jay has been identified as Prince George’s County Police Officer Braxton Shelton. Police further explained that Shelton has a total of four years of law enforcement experience and is assigned to the Bureau of Patrol.
According to police, Shelton responded to a 911 call for a reported breaking and entering at the Windham Creek apartment complex on Suitland Road in Suitland.
"He entered the location and encountered one male adult suspect. An exchange happened. The officer discharged his weapon striking the adult male one time," said Prince George's County Police Chief Malik Aziz during a press conference the night of the deadly shooting.
WUSA9 asked Chief Aziz for clarity regarding the exchange.
"The exchange was not one of gunfire. It was a verbal exchange that occurred with the people who were in the house. Two people were inside the location. One that he encountered he discharged his weapon and the discourse was fatal," said Chief Aziz.
Jay was pronounced dead at the scene. Shelton was not injured.
The Independent Investigations Division continues to investigate the circumstances of the deadly shooting.
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