Police located a suspect in the shooting of a woman within minutes Tuesday morning, but the suspect was found dead of what was believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, they said.
Prince George’s County police said they received a call for a domestic-related shooting at 7:15 a.m. on Fisher Road in Temple Hills. The victim, a woman, was able to tell officers her boyfriend shot her and gave a description of his vehicle, they said.
About 7:25 a.m., while en route to the original call, patrol officers stopped a driver in an SUV in the parking lot of a shopping center in the 4800 block of St. Barnabas Road. The windows were heavily tinted, and officers ordered the driver to get out of the vehicle, according to police.
After the driver didn’t respond, police declared a barricade situation. When they next approached the SUV, they discovered the the driver dead inside, Deputy Chief James Keleti said.
Authorities said they believe the suspect shot and killed himself. He was the only person inside the SUV.
A gun was recovered, they said.
Police said according to a preliminary investigation, the deceased driver is believed to be the suspect in the shooting.
“This is a very tragic incident. It’s going to be very difficult for the victim, the victim’s family, and the suspect’s family,” Keleti said during a news conference Tuesday morning. “Our hearts go out to everyone involved.”
The victim is in stable condition at a hospital.
A large area outside the Heather Hill apartment complex where the domestic shooting occurred was roped off.
Investigators remain on the scene at the shopping center.
“Since this thing happened, it was shocking for me,” said the manager of a gas station at the shopping center. “Not just for me, my coworkers, a lot of our customers. I work here every day …. Everyone was feeling, kind of, pain.”
This is an ongoing investigation.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.
