Officials Discuss Progress Of Homicide Response
PALMER PARK, Md. (WJZ) -- There are new details in the killing of a University of Maryland student. That murder and an overall spike in killings has police saturating Prince George's County with patrols.
Mike Hellgren has the latest on the outrage surrounding this violence.
The murder of Justin DeSha-Overcash, 22, in a home across from the University of Maryland College Park has shaken the campus. Police announced a new $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, as every top Prince George's County law enforcement official gathered to denounce a spike of murders---13 so far this year.
"We're actively working that case and I can't go into it too much but I'm hopeful that it was close," said Prince George's County Police Chief Mark Magaw. "In most of these homicides, we believe the victim most likely knew the attacker or had prior contact with them."
DeSha-Overcash's mother is outraged police believe her honor student son is a drug dealer and that's what led to his death.
"The child's last moments were horrifically horrible. I can't even imagine the fear," Karen DeSha said. "They're trying to convince people in PG County that they're safe. They're not safe. These are not random, drug-related acts."
Police say they are saturating every neighborhood where every murder occurred with anywhere from 75 to 100 additional officers every night.
"The police department's sole focus right now is on stopping the cycle of violence," Magaw said.
ATF, FBI and DEA agents will now be embedded in the homicide unit.
"My job as county executive is to give the men and women of our public safety the resources they need to address these problems. Their job is to get the job done," said County Executive Rushern Baker.
"This child, no, not perfect, but a bright light that was snuffed out way too quickly," DeSha said.
And his killer remains on the loose.
Tuesday, the Prince George's County state's attorney denounced the "stop snitching" culture. It's the same problem that's plagued Baltimore for years: witnesses not reporting information about crimes. She plans a new campaign against it.
