Prince George’s County Police Charge Adelphi Man in Connection with Officer-Involved Shooting

November 18, 2020

The Prince George’s County Police Department has charged a suspect in connection with an officer-involved shooting in Langley Park, MD. The suspect is identified as 47-year-old Vicente Gutierrez of the 8100 block of 15th Avenue, Adelphi, MD.

On November 15, 2020 at about 6:45 pm, officers responded to a local liquor store located in the 7900 block of New Hampshire Avenue, Langley Park for the report of an officer-involved shooting.

The preliminary investigation reveals an officer with the Prince George’s County Police Department, was in full uniform and working secondary employment at a local liquor store, when the store management asked him to remove a person from their establishment because he was agitating the customers, and had been previously banned from the store. The officer escorted the person, later identified as Gutierrez from the liquor store.

Gutierrez got upset upon being escorted out of the store and pulled out a knife. An independent witness heard Gutierrez say, “I’ma kill you” as he pulled out the knife. The officer gave loud verbal commands, ordering Gutierrez to put down the knife but he advanced toward the officer with his knife drawn. Fearing for his life, the officer fired his service weapon, striking Gutierrez in the abdomen.

Gutierrez was treated on scene and later taken to a hospital where he was treated and released, and has been charged with Attempt First Degree Murder, First Degree Assault and other related charges. He is currently at the Department of Corrections.

The involved officer is identified as Corporal Vincent Simmel, a 9 year veteran of the Prince George’s County Police Department. He is currently assigned to Regional Investigation Division. He has been placed on routine administrative leave.

If anyone has information relevant to this investigation, they are asked to please call detectives at 301-516-2512. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device.) Please refer to case number 20-0053657.