In the early morning hours of June 26, 1978, 25-year-old Prince George’s County Police Officer James Brian Swart was shot and killed inside the Hyattsville District Station in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Officer Swart, a five-year department veteran, had rushed from another part of the station after hearing gunfire to assist Officer Albert M. Claggett, IV, who had been disarmed and shot in the booking area.

As Swart entered the room the teenage suspect turned the revolver on him and fired a fatal shot to the chest. Officer Swart was taken to Prince George’s Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead. The 15-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene and later convicted in connection with the deaths; he received a 25-year sentence.

Was anyone in the Hyattsville station that night able to provide details about how the suspect obtained the weapon?