Pentagon police officer charged with murder after shooting in Maryland
Officer David Hall Dixon was off-duty in Maryland when he fired his weapon at two individuals
A Pentagon police officer is in custody after shooting and killing two people.
Officer David Hall Dixon was off-duty in Maryland when he fired his weapon at two individuals he assumed were attempting to steal a car. He was taken into custody and charged with two counts of murder on Friday. According to Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy, he is being held without bond.
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The incident took place at 5 a.m. on Wednesday. The officer thought he witnessed individuals stealing a car in a condominium complex. As the individuals drove off, he shot after them. When officers arrived on the scene, they found Dixon, who identified himself as a Pentagon officer and a complex resident.
James Lionel Johnson, 38, of District Heights, and Dominique Williams, 32, of Hyattsville, died from their wounds at the hospital. An autopsy showed the bullets struck the victims in the back.
Dixon was taken into custody Friday morning and was officially charged with two counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a felony, reckless endangerment, and two counts of second-degree murder.
On the assault on Michael Thomas, who was driving the vehicle, Dixon faces attempted second-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a felony.
“Our investigation reveals that Mr. Dixon’s overview of events was inconsistent with the facts in the case,” Takoma Park Police Chief Antonio DeVaul said at a news conference Friday. “Mr. Dixon had no lawful or justifiable reason to shoot and kill Mr. Williams and Mr. Johnson.”
“He was a civilian, who acted as a civilian, who happened to be a law enforcement officer in another jurisdiction,” said DeVaul.
The “PFPA (Pentagon Force Protection Agency) will be conducting an internal administrative investigation,” said Sue Gough a Pentagon spokesperson.
The officer has been placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. He started with the agency in 2019.
According to a statement on behalf of Dr. Daniel P. Walsh, the PFPA acting director, they are “conducting a stand-down with our officers to ensure they have a full understanding of their off duty responsibilities, and review our use of force policy and jurisdictional considerations.”
PFPA officers are only allowed to fire their weapon off duty “when violence is being committed or immediately threatened.”
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As per theGrio, a Detroit officer will not be charged in the shooting death of a Black man.
Authorities say the shooting death of Hakim Littleton by officers was justified and charges will not be filed.
A Wayne County prosecutor announced on Wednesday charges will not be filed against the officer because Littleton allegedly fired a weapon first, causing officers to fire back, per the Detroit Free Press.
“There has been an enormous amount of misinformation that has been generated on social media about the true facts of this case,” said prosecutor Kym Worthy, as protests began to erupt after the shooting
She added: “The officers in this case acted with lawful self defense, there will be no charges.”
The shooting took place on July 10, 2020. Officers say they were responding to another incident involving a man named Darnelle Sylvester. Littleton is seen walking by, but as officers surround Sylvester who promptly puts his hands up to be arrested, Littleton pulls out a weapon and points it at an officer.
He then pulls the trigger on the sidewalk near San Juan and McNichols.
Just hours after the incident occurred, officers released body cam footage that showed the entire shooting.
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