The Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating a domestic-related murder. PGPD officers responded to a call for help in Lanham early this morning. After the suspect initially fired upon police and struck multiple police cars, both PGPD and New Carrollton Police officers returned fire. At some point, the suspect was struck by the returned gunfire and eventually died at a hospital.
He is identified as 36-year-old Vusumuzi Kunene of the 7700 block of Seans Terrace in Lanham. The preliminary investigation revealed that Kunene also shot his sister and struck her with a stolen PGPD SUV. The sister, 45-year-old Wadiya Brown of Lanham, was killed.
On November 10, 2020, at approximately 12:50 am, PGPD patrol officers responded to the 7700 block of Seans Terrace for the report of a suicidal man who was possibly armed. The investigation thus far, reveals that as officers arrived on the scene, the mobile video system captured Kunene shooting his sister. As a PGPD officer exited his cruiser to take cover, Kunene then fired at the cruiser, striking it. Kunene fired his gun several more times at the PGPD cruiser and eventually got in and drove the SUV up the street, striking his sister, who was lying in the roadway suffering from a gunshot wound. After Kunene made a u-turn, he struck her again with the stolen SUV. She died from her injuries at the scene.
As Kunene attempted to flee the scene, he leaned out of the driver side window and shot multiple times into the second PGPD cruiser. He then continued down the street turning right onto Fury Lane. He then drove in the direction of the two PGPD officers who fled the street and fired upon him. He then sideswiped two New Carrolton Police cruisers before hitting a third New Carrolton cruiser head on. New Carrollton officers discharged their duty weapons as he approached them in the stolen vehicle, and officers were then able to take Kunene into custody. Officers attempted life-saving measures on the scene. He was rushed to a hospital where died a short time later. The two involved PGPD officers were not hurt in this incident. One New Carrollton officer was taken to a hospital for injuries suffered in the head-on collision.
The gun Kunene used was recovered at the scene.
Autopsies will be conducted to determine the cause of death for both Kunene and his sister, Ms. Brown, and this investigation is still in its preliminary stages. As part of this investigation officers are reviewing body worn cameras, cruiser camera video and helicopter video.
The PGPD’s Internal Affairs Division is investigating the actions of the involved officers. They were not hurt. The PGPD’s Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the actions of Kunene.
The two involved PGPD officers are on routine administrative leave. All questions about the status of the New Carrollton Police officers should be directed to that agency.
Anyone with information on this investigation is urged to call (301)-516-2512.
