Police in Hyattsville, Maryland, have released photos and video related to a shooting in the Arts District Thursday night that left people running for cover.
No one was reported hurt, but several businesses were hit buy gunfire in the area of Baltimore Avenue and Jefferson Street at about 9:30.
A surveillance camera nearby captured the shooting as a man inside what detectives described as a white, late-model BMW SUV got out and opened fire at a car passing by.
In the video, multiple gun shots can be heard, and people walking on nearby sidewalks are seen frantically trying to escape the area and duck for cover.
Thursday evening, HCPD officers responded to report of gun shots near the 5300 block of Baltimore Ave. No one was injured but 7 bullets hit 3 businesses and an apartment building along Jefferson St. and 45th Ave. More details at https://t.co/w79NxedLkq Crime tips? 301-985-5060 pic.twitter.com/RDlJxg6ZbP
— City of Hyattsville Police Department (@HyattsvillePD) July 16, 2021
“It’s a terrifying experience — you’re out with your family and see this,” acting Hyattsville Police Chief Scott Dunklee said.
Detectives believe the man who opened fire had learned the people he targeted were inside a restaurant in the area, and when those people left the restaurant and drove off, the shooter pulled out a rifle and fired many rounds at their car.
Dunklee said neither the suspects and the people who were shot at were nowhere to be found when is officers arrived on the scene.
Investigators have released pictures from surveillance video of the three male suspects they are looking for, along with pictures of the two cars involved. The suspect’s BMW SUV is believed to have tinted windows, a sunroof and silver rims. The car being shot at may be a dark gray Toyota Highlander which is missing its driver’s-side mirror after the shooting.
In all, Dunklee said, more than dozen bullets were fired. Several buildings, including the nearby Busboys and Poets restaurant, were damaged by the gunfire.
Alisha Byrd, a spokesperson for the restaurant, said an open mic night at the location was wrapping up when the shooting occurred. She said the people inside the restaurant didn’t realize what was happening until a stray bullet struck a window.
“We’re thankful that no one was injured,” Byrd said.
Dunklee said his department is asking everyone in the area to check their home security cameras to see whether they captured anything that could help police. Anyone with more information in the case should call the Hyattsville police at 301-985-5060.
Dunklee said a shooting like this, in what is a normally very quiet community, was a shock to him.
“The last thing you would expect is someone to pull a rifle out of a car and fire dozens of shots in the area, it’s just not something that happens,” Dunklee said.
In a press release, Mayor Kevin Ward called the shooting inexcusable.
“We are grateful no one was physically hurt, but recognize this may negatively impact the psychological wellbeing of residents and visitors to our city,” Ward said. “We will come together to support each other as police work to solve this case.”
Below is a map of where the incident took place.
