A Pentagon police officer who allegedly shot two suspected burglars in Maryland on Wednesday is charged with murder, according to local authorities, and he will soon face charges in connection with another incident from last year.
David Hall Dixon told investigators he thinks the victims, Dominique Williams, 32, and James Johnson, 38, broke into a car and tried to intervene.
In addition to second-degree murder and reckless charges of execution, he is facing a charge of attempted murder for allegedly shooting the getaway car driven by a third person, 36-year-old Michael Thomas.
David Hall Dixon allegedly shot two suspected burglars and is now charged with murder.
(Pentagon Force Protection Agency)
MARYLAND POLICE IDENTIFY 2 DEATHS IN SHOOTING OF PENTAGON OFFICER INVOLVED
Antonio DeVaul, chief of police in Takoma Park, told a news conference that although evidence indicated that the victims were indeed breaking into cars, the correct response would have been to report the incident to local police.
“We absolutely encourage people not to take action if they observe criminal activities,” he said. “Be a good witness, call us, but do not act. We want our citizens to be our eyes and ears, but not to intervene themselves.”
Police in Takoma Park said they did not intend to charge Thomas, the driver, with crimes.
“You can not shoot people for property crimes,” Montgomery County CEO March Elrich told the Washington Post during a news conference on Thursday. “You can not shoot them. It’s just like that. The idea that he drew his gun as opposed to his phone and called the local police – that should not have happened. ‘
Elrich also said Dixon, who has worked for the Pentagon Force Protection Agency since 2019 and has been a federal officer since 2009, “had no authority in Montgomery County.”
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that took place on Wednesday morning that led to the arrest of Pentagon Police Officer David Dixon today,” said PFPA acting director general Dr. Daniel P. Walsh, said in a statement Friday. “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and the Takoma Park community as they try to cope with this tragedy. We are working and will continue to work fully with the Takoma Park Police Department and the Office of the State Attorney in Montgomery County while they work.by the case.We recognize that each individual is innocent until convicted.To understand the seriousness of the situation and their responsibilities, we conduct a stand-down with our officers to ensure that they have a full understanding of their responsibilities, and to review them. our use of violence policies and jurisdictional considerations. “
He added that Dixon was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.
MARYLAND COPS SAFE SPEAKS OF CHAIN SAWING MAN WHO IS SHOT
Dixon was reportedly on his way to work when he saw two men who he said were trying to break into cars.
He entered into a conversation with the suspects “who did not comply with the order,” Takoma Park police said. The suspects were trying to flee in a vehicle when Dixon fired his service weapon. Shortly after the incident, the two suspects involved arrived at the hospital with gunshot wounds.
This is not the only legal problem Dixon found himself on Friday.
Police said they will soon file charges in connection with an incident in May 2020 after receiving new evidence.
Dixon at the time used a homeless woman with pepper spray, who he said was attacked in the foyer of his apartment complex. Police determined she was going through a mental health crisis and took her to a hospital and no charges were filed.
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Police said video given to them Friday shows that Dixon also threatened her with a shotgun at one point.
Authorities at the time did not tell him or the woman anything about the details to responding officers, and he allegedly put it back in his apartment before they arrived.
But the lobby surveillance video appears to show him wearing slippers and shorts, aiming his rifle at her and forcing her out of the building.
Fox News’s Danielle Wallace and Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.