Two men dead, third injured in overnight shooting near Prince George's Co. mall

ACCOKEEK, Maryland (7News) — Two men are dead and a third person was injured after a shooting in Prince George's County Thursday evening, according to a statement from the Prince George's County Department.

Police said the two men were found dead in the 7000 block of Berry Road, near the center of Manokeek Village, after responding to reports of shots fired around 11:45 p.m. Later, police said a person then went to the hospital for non-life. -threatening injuries.

The victims were identified as 48-year-old Sheldon Proctor and 55-year-old Patrick Savoy.

According to Tammala Swann, who identified herself as Proctor's sister, her brother and dozens of other people would gather for a weekly meeting arranged to discuss cars. The event had been going on for years.

“My brother, my little brother. He was already disabled. And he was probably trying to run away but he couldn't because he was paralyzed from the chest down. And they shot him for no reason,” Swann said.

Family members said Proctor was left paralyzed after a dirt bike accident when he was a teenager.

Buck Proctor, who said he was Sheldon Proctor's father, told 7News he put his son in cars when he was a young child. Now he's desperate for answers.

“Give it up. We know someone in the area where we live who knows him,” Proctor said.

For much of the morning, the mall parking lot was cordoned off with police tape and riddled with evidence markers.

After police cleared the scene, only one lawn chair that was already there for Thursday night's car show remained, on which flowers were placed to create a makeshift memorial.

Family members and friends of Proctor showed up at the scene to pay their respects throughout the day.

“We really want answers because Sheldon has been a sweetheart his whole life,” said a woman who identified herself only as “Peaches,” a family friend.

Swann told 7News she will always remember her brother as someone who brightened everyone's day.

“He was the nicest guy. He had the prettiest smile, a very handsome guy, and he loved people and he loved everyone,” Swann said.

It was the first deadly car collision since a new Maryland law cracking down on such events took effect earlier this month.

Under the new law, House Bill 601, it will be illegal to participate in exhibition or street racing on any highway or private property used by the public.

Violators will have eight points added to their license. This goes up to 12 points if there are serious injuries as a result of the incident.

Under current regulations, getting 8 to 11 points will result in your license being suspended, and 12 points will result in your license being revoked.

Safe Roads Maryland President John Seng was a supporter of the law and told 7News it will take much more than the actions of lawmakers to prevent a repeat of Thursday night's tragedy.

“These types of street displays, illegal car gatherings are at the forefront – literally – of traffic violence in the state of Maryland. This should not be left to legislators alone. This will require enforcement. “Police and law enforcement need to appreciate the public and legislators in Annapolis support them, as well as many counties in Maryland,” Seng said. “It’s also up to the courts, the prosecutors, to pursue these cases and enforce the law.”

Family members and others living in the community told 7News on Thursday that the drive-by encounter was a known weekly occurrence. However, they also said this event was more of a car show in which no one drove, and was nothing like some of the car meets 7News has previously reported on – including one in District Heights in May that took place also ended in a fatal shooting. .

7News On Your Side asked Prince George's County police the following questions:

1. Since the new car meetup law came into force, what new strategies has the department deployed?
2. Were you aware of this particular meeting which took place on Thursday evening?
3. Did you have patrol cars nearby since this was a weekly event?

No one from police responded at the time of publication.

Police said no suspects have been identified and are asking the public to come forward with information leading to an arrest.

“If you saw something, please say so. Innocent lives were lost for nothing. The crimes, the killings, the shootings and everything else needs to stop, they really need to stop,” Swann said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PG Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-8477.