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Prince George's Official Charged In 2nd Gun Case
Officer Who Shot 2 Workers Accused of Threatening Man
By Candace Rondeaux and Ruben Castaneda
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, April 7, 2007; A01
Keith A. Washington, the Prince George's County official who shot two furniture deliverymen this year, turned himself in to county police yesterday after being charged with pulling a gun on a real estate appraiser who said he mistakenly knocked on his door this week.
Washington, 45, the county's deputy homeland security director, was charged yesterday morning with first-degree assault, second-degree assault and use of a handgun during a violent crime in connection with Thursday's incident at his house in Accokeek.
He arrived at the Prince George's County Detention Center about 11 a.m. and left about 4:30 p.m. after posting $75,000 bond, corrections officials said. The arrest followed a decision by Police Chief Melvin C. High late Thursday to suspend Washington's police powers, which stripped the corporal of his police-issued gun and badge. An internal affairs investigation is also underway, authorities say.
Washington remains under investigation for shooting two Marlo Furniture movers who were making a delivery to his house Jan. 24. Washington shot Brandon D. Clark, 22, and Robert White, 36, with his police-issued 9mm Beretta after a dispute over a bed set escalated, police said. Clark died of his wounds Feb. 2.
Washington has said he shot the men in self-defense. Messages left for his attorney, Steve Sunday, were not returned this week, and attempts to reach Washington were unsuccessful.
Prince George's State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey said his office is awaiting the results of forensic analysis of physical evidence found in Washington's home and other tests before moving forward with the shooting case.
"I think the [tests] could help to corroborate or undercut the various versions of what happened that night," Ivey said. "I think it's critical to have the forensic evidence to move forward."
Ivey said he supports High's decision to suspend Washington and confiscate his weapon in the meantime. "I think, given the circumstances, it was the appropriate thing to do," he said.
Investigators confiscated Washington's service weapon when he was placed on administrative leave after the January shooting. At some point, under standard police practices, he was issued another weapon. A source, who requested anonymity because the case is ongoing, said investigators think the gun involved Thursday was the newly issued service weapon.
The incident that triggered Washington's arrest occurred when Kevin King, a real estate appraiser for ONCE Appraisals in the District, pulled up to Washington's house in the 1500 block of Shellford Lane about 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
In a charging document filed with Prince George's authorities, King said he was sitting in his vehicle, which bore his company's name on the tailgate, when Washington pulled into his driveway. King said he noticed the car immediately because Washington almost hit his mailbox as he parked.
"He exited his car and looked at me. I waved at him to say 'Hi,' " King said in the charging document.
King said Washington then let himself into the house through the front door. Moments later, King noticed Washington behind his vehicle. Washington next went to the back of his house.
King finished his paperwork, walked to the center of the street, took photos of the home and shot two more street-view photos. He then knocked on the front door. When Washington answered, he immediately became irate, King said.
"He produced a handgun at one point with the barrel facing me in a threatening and deadly manner. I began to walk backwards toward the street, explaining I was an appraiser. I showed him the appraisal order form, but he continued to threaten me," King said.
Realizing he was at the wrong house, King said he got into his car as Washington "continued to scream and threaten" him. King drove up the street, stopped at the correct address and called 911, according to the documents.
King, of Columbia, said he did not know who Washington was until the neighbor told him.
"Considering what happened to the guys from Marlo Furniture, I felt both terrified and grateful that I wasn't killed," King said.
King, who met yesterday with reporters at the Bowie office of his attorney, Michael Winkelman, called the encounter with Washington "terrifying," saying the assault was unprovoked. He said Washington never identified himself as an officer.
Winkelman, who also represents White's and Clark's families, said he is "hopeful" that the county will conduct a fair investigation and, if necessary, prosecution of the officer.
John Erzen, a spokesman for County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), said Washington remains in his homeland security job and is on administrative leave with pay.
Washington was processed at the Prince George's jail yesterday and briefly held in the medical unit in a cell by himself, away from the general population, said Vicki D. Duncan, spokeswoman for the Prince George's Department of Corrections.
Ivey said yesterday that a grand jury will decide whether to indict Washington on charges stemming from the case.
Officer Who Shot 2 Workers Accused of Threatening Man
By Candace Rondeaux and Ruben Castaneda
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, April 7, 2007; A01
Keith A. Washington, the Prince George's County official who shot two furniture deliverymen this year, turned himself in to county police yesterday after being charged with pulling a gun on a real estate appraiser who said he mistakenly knocked on his door this week.
Washington, 45, the county's deputy homeland security director, was charged yesterday morning with first-degree assault, second-degree assault and use of a handgun during a violent crime in connection with Thursday's incident at his house in Accokeek.
He arrived at the Prince George's County Detention Center about 11 a.m. and left about 4:30 p.m. after posting $75,000 bond, corrections officials said. The arrest followed a decision by Police Chief Melvin C. High late Thursday to suspend Washington's police powers, which stripped the corporal of his police-issued gun and badge. An internal affairs investigation is also underway, authorities say.
Washington remains under investigation for shooting two Marlo Furniture movers who were making a delivery to his house Jan. 24. Washington shot Brandon D. Clark, 22, and Robert White, 36, with his police-issued 9mm Beretta after a dispute over a bed set escalated, police said. Clark died of his wounds Feb. 2.
Washington has said he shot the men in self-defense. Messages left for his attorney, Steve Sunday, were not returned this week, and attempts to reach Washington were unsuccessful.
Prince George's State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey said his office is awaiting the results of forensic analysis of physical evidence found in Washington's home and other tests before moving forward with the shooting case.
"I think the [tests] could help to corroborate or undercut the various versions of what happened that night," Ivey said. "I think it's critical to have the forensic evidence to move forward."
Ivey said he supports High's decision to suspend Washington and confiscate his weapon in the meantime. "I think, given the circumstances, it was the appropriate thing to do," he said.
Investigators confiscated Washington's service weapon when he was placed on administrative leave after the January shooting. At some point, under standard police practices, he was issued another weapon. A source, who requested anonymity because the case is ongoing, said investigators think the gun involved Thursday was the newly issued service weapon.
The incident that triggered Washington's arrest occurred when Kevin King, a real estate appraiser for ONCE Appraisals in the District, pulled up to Washington's house in the 1500 block of Shellford Lane about 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
In a charging document filed with Prince George's authorities, King said he was sitting in his vehicle, which bore his company's name on the tailgate, when Washington pulled into his driveway. King said he noticed the car immediately because Washington almost hit his mailbox as he parked.
"He exited his car and looked at me. I waved at him to say 'Hi,' " King said in the charging document.
King said Washington then let himself into the house through the front door. Moments later, King noticed Washington behind his vehicle. Washington next went to the back of his house.
King finished his paperwork, walked to the center of the street, took photos of the home and shot two more street-view photos. He then knocked on the front door. When Washington answered, he immediately became irate, King said.
"He produced a handgun at one point with the barrel facing me in a threatening and deadly manner. I began to walk backwards toward the street, explaining I was an appraiser. I showed him the appraisal order form, but he continued to threaten me," King said.
Realizing he was at the wrong house, King said he got into his car as Washington "continued to scream and threaten" him. King drove up the street, stopped at the correct address and called 911, according to the documents.
King, of Columbia, said he did not know who Washington was until the neighbor told him.
"Considering what happened to the guys from Marlo Furniture, I felt both terrified and grateful that I wasn't killed," King said.
King, who met yesterday with reporters at the Bowie office of his attorney, Michael Winkelman, called the encounter with Washington "terrifying," saying the assault was unprovoked. He said Washington never identified himself as an officer.
Winkelman, who also represents White's and Clark's families, said he is "hopeful" that the county will conduct a fair investigation and, if necessary, prosecution of the officer.
John Erzen, a spokesman for County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), said Washington remains in his homeland security job and is on administrative leave with pay.
Washington was processed at the Prince George's jail yesterday and briefly held in the medical unit in a cell by himself, away from the general population, said Vicki D. Duncan, spokeswoman for the Prince George's Department of Corrections.
Ivey said yesterday that a grand jury will decide whether to indict Washington on charges stemming from the case.
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"the county's deputy homeland security director"
I bet there are some real losers with nice "homeland security" jobs.
That is the perfect place for a Barney Fife bureaucrat to pull down a big chunk of federal dollars every year and do nothing productive.0 -
quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
"the county's deputy homeland security director"
I bet there are some real losers with nice "homeland security" jobs.
That is the perfect place for a Barney Fife bureaucrat to pull down a big chunk of federal dollars every year and do nothing productive.
It's just like TSA (thousands standing around). I haved seen many very qualified people apply and then I have seen what they hire. Mind boggling.0 -
quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
"the county's deputy homeland security director"
I bet there are some real losers with nice "homeland security" jobs.
That is the perfect place for a Barney Fife bureaucrat to pull down a big chunk of federal dollars every year and do nothing productive.
He is not a federal employee. He is a PG County cop that has been assigned as the County's Deputy Homeland Security Director.0 -
WOW! I'm so happy Homeland Security is keeping us safe from The Terrorists!!!!
Now what government agency do we need to have foisted on us to keep us safe from them?[xx(]0 -
The men were shot by Cpl. Keith Washington, who is a police officer as well as a top homeland security official in Prince George's County, at Washington's home in Accokeek during what was supposed to have been a simple swap: one Marlo Furniture bedroom set for another.
Washington, 45, a former driver for County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), has long been a controversial figure. He was sued in 2000 by a man who claimed to have been arrested and strip-searched for protesting Washington's rough treatment of a motorist; a civil verdict against Washington for that incident was overturned on appeal. Washington also was later temporarily suspended for alleged aggressive behavior during meetings of a homeowners association board on which he served.
Washington and the Police Chief and County Executive Jack B. Johnson are the same nationality as jessie jackson.....Something spooky about this.0 -
Sounds like he gave his chain of command ample warning that he was a violent nutcase.
I guess they can pay the piper.[xx(]0 -
quote:Originally posted by PC800
quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
"the county's deputy homeland security director"
I bet there are some real losers with nice "homeland security" jobs.
That is the perfect place for a Barney Fife bureaucrat to pull down a big chunk of federal dollars every year and do nothing productive.
He is not a federal employee. He is a PG County cop that has been assigned as the County's Deputy Homeland Security Director.
Yes, but isn't the county getting federal funds to support their Homeland Security operation.
I bet they are; I know with the DARE program the feds would fund one deputy's salary, and buy that DARE van.0 -
quote:Washington remains in his homeland security job and is on administrative leave with pay.
I can't even speak I am so Outraged![:(!]0 -
quote:Originally posted by elvjeep
The men were shot by Cpl. Keith Washington, who is a police officer as well as a top homeland security official in Prince George's County, at Washington's home in Accokeek during what was supposed to have been a simple swap: one Marlo Furniture bedroom set for another.
Washington, 45, a former driver for County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), has long been a controversial figure. He was sued in 2000 by a man who claimed to have been arrested and strip-searched for protesting Washington's rough treatment of a motorist; a civil verdict against Washington for that incident was overturned on appeal. Washington also was later temporarily suspended for alleged aggressive behavior during meetings of a homeowners association board on which he served.
Washington and the Police Chief and County Executive Jack B. Johnson are the same nationality as jessie jackson.....Something spooky about this.
Oh, well in that case he gets the benefit of extra tolerance, forgiveness and understanding. Held to a different (read lower) standard actually. After all, he comes from a deprived, oppressed existance and we must try and understand that.0 -
Thank your lucky stars you are not the paper boy or pizza delivery guy for this nut! Eugene Tackleberry is alive and well! 0 -
PG County is noted for the excessive force by their officers. A couple of years back one of them followed a vehicle out of their jurisdiction. About 20 miles out......then the officer suddenly felt "threatened" and shot the occupant in the occupants driveway in Fairfax Virginia.
They aren't as bad as New Orleans PD, but dammit, they are trying.0 -
quote:Originally posted by dcinffxva
PG County is noted for the excessive force by their officers. A couple of years back one of them followed a vehicle out of their jurisdiction. About 20 miles out......then the officer suddenly felt "threatened" and shot the occupant in the occupants driveway in Fairfax Virginia.
They aren't as bad as New Orleans PD, but dammit, they are trying.
Very true. There is one PG County officer that has been in 7 shootings. And everyone was found "justified". Hmm.0 -
I have a question. Why did this guy still have have his gun and badge after shooting two people in his home (not in the line of duty). I was under the impression that if an LEO is involved in a shooting, they give up their weapon until the investigation is complete. Am I wrong? LEO's, help me out. 0 -
Tackleberry is my hero.
Doug0
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