PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — Prince George's County Police Chief Henry P. Stawinski announced on Tuesday that the officer who fatally shot Michael Green, a suspectwho was handcuffed and in custody on Monday night has been charged with murder.
Michael Owen, a 10-year-veteran of the department, has been charged with murder, manslaughter and associated weapons charges.
"I am unable to come to the community and provide a reasonable explanation for the events that occurred last night," Stawinski said. "I have concluded what happened last night was a crime."
According to the Prince George’s County Police Department, there was a report of a driver that struck multiple vehicles starting in the Silver Hill area near St. Barnabas Road ending at Winston Street at about 8 p.m.
Officers then found the driver, who officials say they believed was under the influence on what they believed to be PCP. Officers then handcuffed the suspect and put him inside the cruiser.
After calling a drug dog, police say one officer got into the cruiser in the driver seat and saw the suspect was in the passenger seat.
Officials say two independent witnesses heard and saw a struggle from inside the cruiser as well as loud bangs. The suspect had been shot multiple times by the officer’s weapon.
Officers then proceeded to grab their trauma kits and transport him to the hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries.
Stawinski said that a preliminary investigation concluded that seven shots were fired.
A judge ordered Owen to be held without bond on Wednesday.
