Federal Indictment Charges Suitland Man in Fatal Shooting at the U.S. Census Bureau

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury today returned an indictment charging Ronald Anderson, age 48, of Suitland, Maryland, with kidnapping, murder of a federal officer, attempted murder of a federal officer, using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, causing death by use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Interim Chief Peter Newsham of the Metropolitan Police Department; and Director Eric Patterson of the Federal Protective Service, Department of Homeland Security.

The indictment alleges that on April 9, 2015, Anderson abducted Victim One from Washington, D.C. and drove Victim One to Maryland.  According to court documents, once in Maryland Victim One got out of Anderson’s vehicle and into a Honda CRV driven by an acquaintance of Anderson’s and they sped away.  Anderson pursued the CRV at a high rate of speed.

According to court documents, the acquaintance drove to the U.S. Census Bureau building at 4600 Silver Hill Road in Suitland, with Anderson continuing to pursue the CRV.  The Honda CRV crashed into a light pole near two armed security officers. Anderson stopped his vehicle behind the Honda CRV and exchanged gunfire with the two security officers.  The indictment alleges that Anderson shot and killed one of the officers and attempted to murder the second officer. 

Anderson was subsequently arrested in Washington, D.C. by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers after a vehicle pursuit and gunfight, with Anderson firing numerous times at MPD officers.  Anderson was shot multiple times and an MPD officer was struck in the leg.  According to court documents, a .45 caliber pistol was recovered from Anderson’s vehicle.  The indictment alleges that Anderson has a previous felony conviction and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

If convicted, Anderson faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. An initial appearance has not been scheduled.  Anderson continues to undergo medical treatment and remains detained on related charges filed in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia. 

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, Prince George’s County Police Department, Metropolitan Police Department, and the Federal Protective Service of the National Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of Homeland Security for their work in the investigation and thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia for its assistance.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas M. Sullivan and Bryan E. Foreman, who are prosecuting the case.