Victim hospitalized after carjacking spree in DC, Prince George’s County identified
NEW CARROLLTON, Md. (DC News Now) — One of the victims in the deadly carjacking rampage across D.C. and Prince George’s County that left two people dead, including the suspect and another person with life-threatening injuries has been identified.
Mike Gill is in critical condition after being shot during a failed carjacking attempt that happened around 5:54 p.m. on Jan. 29 in the 900 block of K St. NW.
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In a statement, a family spokesperson calls Gill an amazing husband and father of three with a wonderful sense of humor and is “always looking for opportunities to bring people together and make them feel included and loved.”
Dionna Maria Lewis, a lawyer who worked with Gill on the D.C. Elections Board, said he was a kind person who cares deeply for the District and its residents
“Some people just have amazing energy, right? And Mike’s energy is just one that I think resonates with any and everybody,” Lewis said of Gill. “He has a very calm, even keeled temperamental and kind spirit about him. He’s very personable. He’s very likable.”
He said Gill was “intellectual” and “smart.”
“He’s just one of those people that you just feel really good energy around,” Lewis said. “You don’t really ever feel negativity from him, even in the midst of what sometimes we dealt with.”
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Michael Bennett, who was the chair of the D.C. Elections Board, said Gill is a person who works hard to make the District a better place and is fair and balanced.
“He’s just a great guy, always very pleasant, always took a look at things from a very analytical perspective,” he said.
Bennett said it’s “heartbreaking” for the way he was shot through a carjacking attempt and that the proliferation of guns in the District need to dealt with.
The second victim, 35-year-old Alberto Vasquez, of Virginia, was killed during the third-reported incident that police say took place around 7:15 p.m. when they say the suspect approached a group of people standing outside of a car on 3rd and N Streets NE, demanded the car and fatally shot Vasquez.
Police say the suspect drove that car into Prince George’s County where he stole two more vehicles – including an SUV from a ride-share driver.
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The crime spree eventually ended around 4:35 a.m. on Jan. 30 in New Carrollton where police say the man pulled out two guns on New Carrollton police officers, which resulted in the officers firing their service weapons, killing the suspect.
Police believe the suspect may have been suffering from a mental health crisis at the time of the crime spree.
New Carrollton Police Chief Colonel David Rice told DC News Now that he couldn’t speak specifically about the suspect’s state of mind, but says that mental health factors in heavily in how his officers respond to situations.
“Everything we train our officers to do now is de-escalation,” said Rice. “It’s not about arrests or anything like that. It’s about what can we do to help you. But we have to make sure they understand that’s what we are trying to do.”
This case has been handed over to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office for investigation.
The suspect has not yet been named, but that information along with body camera footage is expected to be released soon.
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