Suitland Man Charged In Fatal Shooting At The U.S. Census Bureau

Greenbelt, Maryland – A criminal complaint was filed today in U.S. District Court in Maryland charging Ronald Anderson, age 48, of Suitland, Maryland, with kidnapping, murder, using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and causing death by use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

The criminal complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Chief Cathy L. Lanier of the Metropolitan Police Department; and Director Eric Patterson of the Federal Protective Service, Department of Homeland Security.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on April 9, 2015 Anderson abducted victim 1 at gun point from the 1800 block of 3^rd Street, NE, Washington, D.C.  Anderson drove victim 1 to the rear of his apartment complex in Suitland, Maryland.  On the way, he called another person (victim 2) and asked her to meet him at his apartment.  When Anderson and victim 1 arrived at the apartment complex, Anderson parked next to victim 2’s vehicle.  Anderson exited his car and approached the driver’s side of victim 2’s vehicle.  Victim 2 saw that victim 1 was crying and victim 1 mouthed words to victim 2 asking for help.  Victim 1 got out of Anderson’s vehicle and into victim 2’s Honda CRV.  Victim 2 sped off with victim 1.  Anderson got back into his car and pursued the CRV at a high rate of speed.

Victim 2 fled to the U.S. Census Bureau building at 4600 Silver Hill Road in Suitland, because she knew there were armed security officers there.  As victim 2 drove into the Census Bureau complex, Anderson continued to pursue the CRV.  As Anderson continued to chase her, Victim 2 crashed the Honda CRV into a light pole near two armed security officers, including Officer 1. Anderson stopped his vehicle behind the Honda CRV and exchanged gunfire with Officer 1, striking Officer 1 once in the chest.  Anderson fired additional rounds at a second officer, but did not hit that officer.  Anderson then fled from the Census Bureau in his dark colored Honda Accord.  Prince George’s County Police Officers responded to the Census Bureau for a shooting in progress.  Upon arrival, police officers located Officer 1, suffering from a gunshot wound.  Officer 1 was transported to the Prince George’s County Hospital Center where he was pronounced dead.

Later that evening, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers saw Anderson driving the Honda Accord and attempted to make a traffic stop.  Anderson continued to flee, and fired numerous times at MPD officers.  The pursuit concluded in the vicinity of 11th and H Street, NE in Washington DC. Anderson continued to fire at law enforcement. MPD officers returned fire, striking Anderson multiple times. One MPD officer was struck in the leg.  Anderson and the MPD officer were transported to the hospital for treatment.  Anderson had identification on him and his identity was further confirmed by a comparison of fingerprints taken from Anderson at the hospital.  Law enforcement saw a .45 caliber handgun in plain view in the Honda Accord.

If convicted, Anderson faces a maximum sentence of death or life in prison. An initial appearance has not been scheduled.  Anderson continues to undergo medical treatment and remains detained on related charges filed in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia.

A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, Prince George’s County Police Department, Metropolitan Police Department, and the Federal Protective Service of the National Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of Homeland Security for their work in the investigation and thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia for its assistance.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas M. Sullivan and Bryan E. Foreman, who are prosecuting the case.