– Suspect carjacking spree
– Deadly carjacking spree identified by authorities.

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

The Suspect in String of Shootings and Carjackings in DC and Prince George’s County Identified

The man believed to be responsible for a series of shootings and carjackings that occurred across Washington D.C. and Prince George’s County, Maryland has been identified, according to Maryland authorities.

The Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General has named the suspect as 28-year-old Artell Cunningham, a resident of Suitland, Maryland.

Two officers from New Carrollton, Maryland, identified as Sgt. Byron Purnell and Cpl. Carlos Batenga, fatally shot Cunningham during an encounter early Tuesday morning. Both officers, with over four years of law enforcement experience, have been placed on administrative leave as per standard procedure. Maryland’s Office of the Attorney General, responsible for investigating deaths involving police, continues to investigate the incident.

Shootings and Carjackings Begin in DC

The suspect, Artell Cunningham, is believed to have initiated a series of shootings and carjackings starting in the 900 block of K Street in Northwest D.C. around 5:45 p.m. on Monday.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Assistant Chief of D.C. police Jeffery Carroll disclosed that the suspect, later identified as Cunningham, entered a parked vehicle and shot the driver, identified as Mike Gill by his family. Gill remains in critical condition as of Tuesday night.

Later that evening, around 7 p.m., Cunningham allegedly attempted to steal a vehicle in the 1000 block of 3rd Street Northwest but was unsuccessful and fled the scene.

Around 15 minutes later, Cunningham carjacked a vehicle belonging to 35-year-old Alberto Vasquez Jr. before fatally shooting him in Northeast D.C.’s NoMa neighborhood. Vasquez Jr. was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries but succumbed to them later.

After abandoning the stolen car in Prince George’s County, Cunningham ordered a rideshare vehicle at gunpoint, forcing the driver to comply, according to the police.

At approximately 3 a.m., the stolen vehicle passed a D.C. police cruiser on Interstate 295 near the 1st Street exit, with the driver firing at the cruiser and hitting the driver side door. Fortunately, the officer remained unharmed.

About 30 minutes later, a Maryland State Police trooper, who was assisting stranded motorists on Interstate 95 near Maryland Route 198 and Laurel, spotted a dark-colored vehicle a few lanes away. Cunningham, believed to be the person in the vehicle, fired at least one shot, striking the trooper’s windshield.

Police Encounter in Lanham Turns Fatal

Following these incidents, the fatal police encounter occurred in the early hours of the morning.

At around 4:30 a.m., New Carrollton officers Sgt. Byron Purnell and Cpl. Carlos Batenga noticed an SUV parked on the road in the 7500 block of Annapolis Road. Upon investigation, they discovered that the vehicle had been reported as stolen in a carjacking incident in Prince George’s County.

While searching the area, the officers encountered Artell Cunningham, who brandished two handguns. In response, the officers discharged their weapons, fatally striking Cunningham. Thankfully, both officers escaped unharmed.

Cunningham was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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– Suspect Maryland carjacking spree
– Deadly carjacking spree identified Maryland.