Maryland Moms Demand Action, Everytown Respond to Reports of a Fatal Shooting of Off-Duty Law Enforcement Officer Assisting a Neighbor in a Domestic Violence Incident in Prince George’s County

Research Shows that Nearly Four out of 10 Maryland Women Have Reported Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence in their Lifetime

BRANDYWINE, Md. – The Maryland chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today issued the following statement in response to reports that an off-duty police officer was fatally shot and killed by his neighbor when he went to help resolve a domestic dispute at the request of the woman involved.

Research shows that nearly four out of 10 Maryland women have reported experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime. The costs are high: According to the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, 187 victims died in domestic violence homicide incidents in Maryland from 2011 to 2016. And, guns are the weapon of choice for domestic abusers: nearly 60 percent of domestic violence homicides in Maryland were committed using a firearm. More than four out of five these incidents were directed toward women. Domestic violence can often claim the lives of victims outside abusive relationship including family members, friends and law enforcement officers. Recent incidents like the one that occurred in Prince George’s County today are a reminder that responding to a domestic dispute call is among the many dangerous circumstances that police officers face while on duty.

STATEMENT FROM DANIELLE VEITH, VOLUNTEER CHAPTER LEADER WITH THE MARYLAND CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“This should never have happened. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this shooting, especially the officer’s family and the Prince George’s County Police Department. Far too often, brave officers make the ultimate sacrifice when protecting women and families from abusers armed with guns. Maryland lawmakers must do more to protect women, families and law enforcement affected by domestic violence.”