SUSPECT CHARGED IN I-270 SHOOTING - UNDER ARREST IN CONNECTICUT

(ROCKVILLE, MD) -- Maryland State Police have obtained an arrest warrant for a suspect captured this afternoon in Connecticut and wanted for shooting at an off-duty Prince George’s County Police sergeant early this morning on I-270 in Montgomery County.

The accused is identified as James H. Hill, III, of New Haven, Conn. He is charged on a warrant obtained by Maryland State Police with attempted second degree murder, reckless endangerment, and first degree assault.

No one was injured in the incident, which began about 2:30 a.m. today. An off-duty Prince George’s County Police Department sergeant, driving his personal vehicle home after his shift ended, called the Maryland State Police Rockville Barrack and reported that he was following a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on the outer loop of I-495 near Georgia Avenue. He described the vehicle as a light-colored Audi with Connecticut tags that was driving erratically with its lights off. State Police issued a lookout to troopers and Montgomery County Police.

The sergeant called the barrack back and said he had followed the vehicle onto northbound I-270. Near the 14 mile marker, the sergeant said someone in the Audi held a handgun out the window and fired multiple times at him. He said he continued to follow the car, which exited onto Rt. 121 and then returned to southbound I-270 and exited onto Father Hurley Boulevard. The sergeant said the Audi pulled to the ramp to return to I-270 and stopped. He said another shot was then fired at him from the car. The Audi then fled north onto I-270 and the sergeant continued to follow it.

Troopers from the Rockville and Frederick barracks, as well as Montgomery County Police officers converged on the area, but did not locate the Audi. The sergeant said he lost sight of the car as they passed the weigh station in Hyattstown.

The sergeant was not struck by the gunfire, nor was his vehicle. The sergeant did not fire his weapon at the suspect. There are no reports of any injuries or vehicles damaged from others on the interstate at the times the shots were fired.

Maryland State Police investigators at the Rockville Barrack worked the investigation into the shooting throughout the day. Assistance was provided by the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center and police at the West Haven and New Haven police departments in Connecticut.

Investigators were able to use the tag number obtained by the sergeant during the pursuit this morning to assist in identifying the suspect. Police in Connecticut were familiar with the suspect and set up a surveillance that ended with the suspect’s arrest this afternoon. Questions concerning the arrest in Connecticut should be directed to the New Haven Police Department.

Troopers have been in contact with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office concerning this investigation and charges against the suspect. The state’s attorney has confirmed support for extradition proceedings against Hill to return him to Maryland to face charges. Those extradition efforts are underway. For now, Hill is held in Connecticut as a fugitive from Maryland.