An off-duty police officer was with family when he was carjacked near the Tanger Outlets at National Harbor in Prince George's County and fired shots at the carjackers as they fled, police say.
Police cruisers responded to the scene and surrounded an office building across from the Tanger Outlets at around 5 p.m.
It’s not clear why the off-duty police officer and two family members were there, but the building houses businesses that include dental and medical offices.
"An officer was loading his family into his personal vehicle at which time he was carjacked by some suspects," Prince George's County Police Assistant Chief Vernon Hale said.
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Two suspects were believed to be involved, police said.
"The officer was able to get his family safely out of the vehicle, discharge his weapon and the suspects escaped including his personal vehicle," Hale said.
Police have not said if they believe any shots hit the carjackers who fled the scene in the officer’s vehicle. Not long after, police put out a lookout for a black GMC Acadia.
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Crime scene investigators marked several items as evidence, including what appears to be a gun and shell casings. The parking lot was sealed off.
People were told to remain until detectives completed their on-scene investigation.
The building and parking lot were sealed off for hours, but Tanger Outlets, just across the street, remained open the whole time.
“If this can happen to an officer, this can certainly happen to a family, and so we want to make sure that everybody remains diligent. Take care of one another and keep your eyes open,” Hale said.
