A man shot and killed two teenagers Tuesday night in Fort Washington, Maryland, police say. Authorities believe he opened fire during an illegal drug deal.
Prince George's County officers heard gunshots go off in the area of Haras Place about 9:35 p.m.
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WATCH HEREThey found 16-year-old Thomas Smith Jr., of D.C., and 16-year-old Michael Bassett, of Temple Hills, shot outside an apartment building.
Smith died at the scene. Bassett died a short time later at a hospital, police said.
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SIGN UP Police said a third teen who was shot at was unharmed.
Officers saw an SUV suspected to be involved in the shooting driving away from the scene, police said. When the driver refused to stop, officers pursued the SUV into D.C., where they took the suspect into custody.
Duan Goddard, 27, was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree murder and related charges.
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Investigators recovered multiple guns at the shooting scene, police said.
Police said the teens got to the apartment complex in a car that had been carjacked on St. Barnabas Road in Oxon Hill on May 23.
“Too many in our community are dying prematurely,” Tara Jackson, the acting Prince George’s County executive said at a news conference Wednesday. "We do know that our victims were riding around in a carjacked vehicle on a school night, and the question is why?”
Jackson and Police Chief Malik Aziz announced a summer crime initiative that's set to begin on Thursday, June 12 and run through Aug. 30.
Police will concentrate on several locations, including the Largo Town Center, Langley Park and Marlboro Pike.
Detectives are asking anyone who has information on the shooting to call 301-516-2512 or contact Prince George's County Crime Solvers.
Editor's Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported the victims were men.
