Ronih Murat Pacal, a 40-year-old native of Turkey and recent immigrant, was shot and killed outside his apartment building in the 6700 block of New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland, on December 5, 2023 at about 3:05 a.m. According to authorities, two masked individuals confronted Pacal and his roommate in what is believed to have been a robbery attempt; the roommate was robbed of a phone and keys, and Pacal reportedly resisted and was fatally shot. A stolen car with Virginia tags was left at the scene and the suspects fled.

Pacal had been in the United States for two months, was a husband and father of two young children, ages 4 and 6, and was one of the owners of La Villa Pizzeria in Petworth. He was days away from a planned trip to return to Turkey. The Prince George’s County Police Department Homicide Unit is investigating; no arrests or public identifications of suspects have been announced. A reward of up to $25,000 has been offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment.

If anyone who knew Pacal or who was in the area that night has information that could help the investigation, contact the Prince George’s County Homicide Unit.