News4’s Pat Collins reports on the unusual circumstances surrounding a shooting and car crash that has been ruled a case of murder and the piece of evidence that could be key to finding the killer.
A retired federal worker has died after he was shot and then crashed his car just three blocks from his home in Springdale, Maryland.
Bernard Parker, 59, died late Tuesday, Nov. 10 after he was shot earlier in the day, Prince George's County police said. First-responders initially thought they would be helping the victim of a car crash but learned the driver left the scene after being shot multiple times.
Officers were called about 1 p.m. Nov. 10 to the 3700 block of Ladova Way for a report of a car crash. The driver lost control, plowed into a street sign, rolled onto a resident's lawn and crashed into a small tree, police said. When officers arrived, the car was empty. Parker already had been rushed to a hospital, police said.
Investigators initially thought Parker had been shot in the car but said in an update Wednesday, Nov. 18 that further inspection showed the shooter was likely outside the car.
Investigators determined Parker had been shot in the car.
Parker's friend Gene Barton said he was stunned.
"I would have never imagined something like this happened to him," he said through tears.
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Parker lived in the Woodmore Crossing subdivision for more than 20 years and recently had retired from the federal government. He was a Redskins fan who prided himself on his Christmas lights display, his friend said.
"He was a wonderful person. I am just so saddened," neighbor Sonja Osborne said.
Investigators found on the day of the crime what appeared to be a dark-colored piece of clothing near the scene of the crash. They returned to the scene with that item the following day and deployed a police dog. Also, Prince George's County officials went door-to-door seeking information.
No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information that can help police is asked to call 301-772-4925. A reward of as much as $25,000 is offered.
