Upper Marlboro, Maryland — A person of interest is in custody following a series of shootings that left one man dead and two others injured on Sunday. The incident unfolded in two locations, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement.
The Prince George’s County Police Department reported that the first call came around 7 a.m. after responders found 65-year-old Joseph Holt III unresponsive in his vehicle at Watkins Park Plaza. Investigators determined he had died from a gunshot wound.
Later that evening, around 8:10 p.m., authorities received reports of another shooting in the 12000 block of Darlenen Street. Officers arrived to find a man injured in his car. During the investigation, first responders discovered a second victim, a woman suffering from a gunshot wound to her abdomen, in a different vehicle on Cambleton Drive.
Both victims were transported to local hospitals, where the man was reported to be in stable condition and the woman in critical but stable condition. Additionally, another individual in the area was reportedly shot at while driving but escaped without injuries.
Police quickly canvassed nearby areas, leading them to the arrest of a person of interest on Cambleton Drive. A rifle that is believed to be connected to Holt’s fatal shooting was also recovered at the scene.
Police Chief George Nader emphasized that investigators do not believe the shooter had any prior connection to the victims. “We do not view this as a random sniper-style incident; however, we are confident that one individual is responsible for all the shootings,” he stated.
Nader assured the public that there is no ongoing danger to the community. The motive for the attacks remains unclear, and investigations are ongoing. “While there may be elements of robbery, we are also exploring other aspects of the suspect’s background,” he noted.
The swift actions of law enforcement officers played a critical role in apprehending the suspect, according to Nader. “If they had not acted with such urgency, the outcome could have been very different,” he added.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the shootings to come forward and contact the Prince George’s County Police Homicide Unit at 301-516-2512.