Maryland

Suspected Drug Dealer Fatally Shot by Police in Landover

The suspect was reaching for his handgun when he was shot, the police chief said

A man who was suspected of selling drugs in a Landover, Maryland, neighborhood was fatally shot by police after a confrontation, police say. 

Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said the department got a tip from someone about an armed man selling drugs on Sheriff Road. Stawinski said the man also "terrorized" the community and may be involved in a series of robberies in the area.

Members of the department's Narcotics and Emergency Services team were conducting an operation to arrest the suspect in the 7000 block of Sheriff Road, not far from FedEx Field, at 9:15 p.m. Thursday. 

When two uniformed officers approached the suspect, he ran away. 

The officers were able to tackle the man about 25 yards away, but during the struggle, the officers saw the suspect reaching for a gun in his waistband, Stawinski said. One of the officers fired his weapon, hitting the suspect. 

Police believe the officer fired no more than three rounds.

The suspect's handgun was recovered at the scene, police say.

The suspect was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.

No officers were injured.

Police recovered narcotics, cash and a handgun.

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