CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Md. — Since the pandemic began, Prince George’s County has seen a spike in fatal shootings. However, last weekend may display a bigger issue, with six shootings occurring on the same weekend that the county celebrates the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims.
The shootings in P.G. County started on Friday in Capitol Heights and ended on Sunday in Marlow Heights. This weekend totaled six incidents, including four homicides and many non-fatal injuries. By the end of last weekend, P.G. County’s homicide count was at 97, which surpasses the total fatality count for all of 2020, as tracked by WTOP.
The weekend of remembrance was supposed to be one of the reopening celebrations. It featured the D.C. Bike Ride, which raised $5,605 between 112 sponsored riders for charities. Also, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library reopened on Saturday after COVID-19 delayed it.
As gun violence seems to amp up and ruin more celebratory weekends, the P.G. County Police Department has made it clear they will focus more on gun violence prevention measures by establishing a gun intelligence unit.
This unit will focus on gun offenses, arrests, tracking, and gathering evidence for gun-related cases.
Additionally, the county plans to work with the faith-based community in the coming weeks, to organize job fairs and gun return programs. The hope is that everyone in the county will pitch in to keep the community safe.
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