LAUREL, Md. — Prince George's County Police are on the lookout for a 20-year-old man after an officer-involved shooting in Laurel, Maryland Thursday afternoon.
The shooting occurred near Route 197 and Elaine Court, according to Prince George's County Police Chief Stawinski.
Police said they located an individual who was suspected to be involved in the distribution of drugs. Stawinski said officers have been aware of the suspect, Alpha Mansaray, through the summer.
The chief said a uniformed officer approached Mansaray while he was in his vehicle in the Summerlyn apartment complex just before the shooting occurred.
"Members of our special assignment team were in the area using surveillance techniques," Stawinski said.
The suspect then drove toward the officer in his car just before the officer decided to shoot in his direction. Stawinski said the department's preliminary investigation shows the officer discharged four rounds.
"He endangered the lives of our officers today," the chief said.
Stawinski said the suspect then fled when he saw a second marked police cruiser come toward him.
While he was attempting to turn left, the suspect's car came into contact with the curb. Officials said the police officer was also attempting to turn when the two collided.
More shots were fired in the suspect's direction, but he was still able to get away. Mansaray would ultimately lead police on a chase through Prince George's, Anne Arundel and Howard counties before officers discontinued their pursuit.
Stawinski say officers did recover the suspect's car and found a small amount of blood inside. However, the chief said the blood is not consistent with a gunshot wound.
Mansaray is wanted on a prior warrant. He is still on the loose.
"This individual has run from us a number of times," Stawinski said.
According to police, during the second exchange of gunfire, a single round struck a door of a residence. It went through the door and fell to the ground. No one was hurt.
Stawinski did not say whether Mansaray fired any rounds toward officers.
This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
In August, a police sergeant in Baltimore was shot and wounded.
Baltimore police said the officer was taken to R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center after being shot in northeast Baltimore. Officials later said the officer was in the ICU.
A woman who claimed to witness the shooting told local media outlets that the officer was in plain clothes and that it appeared he was targeted in a robbery attempt.
Additionally, in May, a Baltimore police officer was shot and another man was injured in Baltimore County.
Police responded to area of Linwood Ave. on May 2 after a 9-1-1 call for a person with a gun inside the home. During the encounter, one officer was shot in the upper body, police said.
The officer was taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery.
According to police, officers found a deceased adult male inside the home. The man died from an apparent gunshot wound.
Both incidents surrounding the dead man and the injured officer are under investigation.