St. Mary’s County Commissioner, John E. O’Connor
The Prince George’s County Police Department and the Seat Pleasant Police Department have both issued press releases on the investigation of an officer-involved shooting involving on-duty City of Seat Pleasant police officer, and St. Mary’s County Commissioner, John E. O’Connor.
Prince George’s County Police, Press Release: Prince George’s County Police Detectives with our Criminal Investigation Division along with the Special Investigation Response Team of our Internal Affairs Division are investigating an officer-involved shooting involving an on-duty City of Seat Pleasant police officer.
Preliminarily, on January 17th around 3:45 p.m., a City of Seat Pleasant police officer conducted a traffic stop on Central Avenue near East Capitol Street. The officer exited his patrol car and as he was approaching the stopped driver’s window, the driver sped off. There was a very brief pursuit which the officer called off, but then saw the vehicle turn down a dead-end street. The officer followed, stopped his patrol car, got out and retreated to the rear of his patrol vehicle, then began to give the driver loud verbal commands. At that time, the driver ignored his commands and accelerated, fleeing the area. For reasons which remain under investigation, the officer discharged his service weapon multiple times. There was another gun later located near the scene of the incident. Our detectives are working to determine whether it is connected to the case.
Today, our detectives located and recovered the involved-citizen’s vehicle in Northeast DC. We are still working to identify and locate the driver. It is unknown if the driver was injured in the shooting.
Private First-Class John O’Connor is now on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation which is standard procedure.
Prince George’s County Police Criminal Investigations Division along with the Special Investigation Response Team of the PGPD Internal Affairs Division are investigating the matter. Additionally, the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office reviews all officer-involved shootings.
There are no further updates currently.
1/17/2019 @ 10:00 p.m.: St. Mary’s County Commissioner, John E. O’Connor, who represents Charlotte Hall, Mechanicsville, Golden Beach and the Seventh District was hospitalized on Thursday, January 17, 2019.
O’Connor is a police officer for the Seat Pleasant Police Department and was involved in a police chase and shooting Thursday at approximately 3:20 p.m., in Seat Pleasant.
The Prince George’s County police’s special investigation response team is investigating the incident.
O’Connor made a traffic stop on Central Avenue near the Capital Heights Metro station.
The vehicle immediately fled from O’Connor on his approach to the vehicle, a chase ensued, and ended at dead end on Dade Street.
It was there, O’Connor fired his weapon more than once. The suspect was able to get back on Maryland Park Drive and flee the scene.
A firearm was recovered at that scene, and investigators are trying to determine if it’s connected to the driver. Investigators have bodycam footage from the officer.
O’Connor was taken to the hospital, but hadn’t appeared to sustain any injuries.
Updates will be provided as they become available.
Upon graduation from high school, O’Connor joined the United States Army and served as a Military Police Officer, earning the rank of Sergeant. He participated in peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, and combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. O’Connor is a highly decorated veteran, and during his tour in Iraq, he was awarded the Purple Heart and received the Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device for participation in acts of heroism involving direct conflict with an armed enemy.
