Police Say AR-15-Wielding Suspect Terrorized Maryland Drivers Before Capture
RIVERDALE, MD — A violent afternoon crime spree spanning multiple Prince George’s County communities ended with the arrest of a 68-year-old suspect after an off-duty police officer tracked him in real time while unarmed, authorities said.
Prince George’s County Police charged Larry James Simpson of Glen Burnie with 66 offenses tied to a series of shootings, crashes, and carjackings Friday that unfolded across College Park, Riverdale, and Greenbelt.
Investigators said Simpson allegedly opened fire at multiple victims, critically injured one man during a carjacking, and fired toward an off-duty Prince George’s County police officer before officers and federal law enforcement agents took him into custody.
Police recovered an AR-15-style rifle at the scene of the arrest.
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Violence Spanned Five Locations in Rapid Succession
According to Prince George’s County Police, the crime spree began around 2:30 p.m. Friday in the 5100 block of Pierce Avenue in College Park.
Witnesses reported a man pointing a long gun out of a vehicle window and firing several shots. No injuries were reported at that location.
A short time later, investigators said Simpson shot at a vehicle driven by a 64-year-old man on Riverdale Road near the Baltimore-Washington Parkway in Riverdale. A bullet struck the vehicle’s window, causing shattered glass injuries to the victim’s head. He was hospitalized with injuries not considered life-threatening.
Minutes later, police said Simpson crashed his vehicle at 67th Avenue and Patterson Street in Riverdale, causing the car to overturn.
After climbing out of the wrecked vehicle, investigators allege Simpson carjacked a Nissan and opened fire on at least four people during the confrontation. One man suffered critical injuries but is expected to survive, police said.
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Several minutes later, authorities said Simpson confronted a woman at Kenilworth Avenue and Good Luck Road in Riverdale, fired at her, and stole her Toyota. She was not injured.
Key Points
• Prince George’s County police charged a Glen Burnie man with 66 offenses after multiple shootings and carjackings
• An off-duty PGPD officer tracked the suspect while unarmed, helping officers locate him
• Police said the suspect used an AR-15-style rifle during the violent crime spree
Off-Duty Officer Played Key Role in Arrest
The violent sequence ended in Greenbelt when Simpson allegedly attempted another carjacking in the 9000 block of Edmonston Road.
Police said the off-duty Prince George’s County officer, driving his personal vehicle and unarmed, witnessed one of the carjackings and began following the suspect while relaying information through his wife, who is also a PGPD officer.
Authorities said the officer’s wife transmitted Simpson’s movements in real time to responding officers and partner agencies across the county.
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During the final confrontation, investigators said Simpson fired in the direction of the off-duty officer. The officer was not struck.
With assistance from three United States Park Police officers, authorities arrested Simpson and recovered the rifle.
Suspect Faces Attempted Murder Charges
Simpson was transported to a hospital for injuries believed to have occurred during the earlier crash in Riverdale. After treatment, he was transferred into the custody of the Department of Corrections.
Police said Simpson currently faces 16 counts of attempted first-degree murder, 16 counts of attempted second-degree murder, and numerous related charges. Additional charges could still be filed as detectives continue reviewing evidence and identifying potential victims.
Investigators are urging witnesses or anyone who may have encountered the suspect during Friday’s incidents to contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Gun Crimes Unit.
The investigation remains active.
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