On the morning of July 20, 2016, 68-year-old Alonzo Jackson, a Marine veteran, began his day by dropping his wife off at her job. Afterward, he made a stop at a BP gas station located in the 4900 block of Marlboro Pike in Capitol Heights, Maryland, to refuel his prized 2015 black Dodge Charger before heading to a doctor's appointment. It was a routine part of his day, one that tragically turned into his last moments.
While he was pumping gas, a man approached him, and the encounter ended in gunfire. Jackson was shot, and the assailant then stole his car and fled the scene. Emergency services arrived to find Jackson with a gunshot wound, and he was transported to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries several hours later.
The senseless act of violence sent shockwaves through his community. Alonzo Jackson was a beloved figure, known for his generosity and willingness to help his neighbors. He was a devoted husband and a father of three, who had recently retired from a long career at Safeway. His neighbors remembered him as a man who took meticulous care of his home and his car, and who was always ready to lend a hand with shoveling snow or yard work. His family and friends were left to grapple with the sudden and violent loss of a man they described as kind and generous.
In the days following the shooting, the Prince George's County Police Department launched an intensive investigation. They released surveillance video from the gas station to the public, showing a clear image of the man they believed to be the suspect. A reward of up to $25,000 was offered for any information that would lead to an arrest and indictment in the case. The community responded, and a crucial tip came in that helped investigators identify a person of interest. The stolen Dodge Charger was later found abandoned and had been set on fire.
The investigation quickly led to a suspect, and on a Sunday following the tragic event, police arrested 20-year-old Demarko Wheeler of Southeast Washington. The news of the arrest was announced at a vigil being held for Alonzo Jackson, bringing a moment of relief to the grieving family and friends who had gathered to honor his memory. Wheeler was taken into custody in the District and faced extradition to Prince George's County. He was subsequently charged with first- and second-degree murder, as well as other related charges in connection with the death of Alonzo Jackson.
