Mark Antonio Washington, 43, died on the evening of Wednesday, January 3, 2007, on a ramp of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway after an encounter with two Prince George’s County police officers. Officers were approaching a vehicle identified as having stolen tags when Washington, the driver, fled. A short pursuit ended when Washington lost control; he then began ramming police cruisers in front of and behind his vehicle. Two officers discharged their weapons and Washington was struck; he was pronounced dead at the scene. A male passenger in the vehicle was wounded in the arm. The officers were placed on routine administrative leave after the shooting.

Family members described Washington as a former high school basketball player who struggled for years with heroin and cocaine addiction after witnessing his mother’s murder as a child. His record included repeated petty thefts his family said were committed to support his drug habit. Those who knew him remembered him as sensitive rather than violent, noting small gestures such as being upset over a niece’s stolen bicycle.

If anyone has information about the January 3, 2007 shooting or knew Mark Washington, please share what you know.