On a quiet Easter Sunday morning in Prince George’s County, Maryland, a violent sequence of events unfolded, leaving a community shaken and two families grappling with the aftermath of a deadly police shooting. Aevon Bucknor Jr., a 44-year-old resident of Oxon Hill, was killed by police at National Harbor after a domestic dispute escalated into a stabbing and arson incident that displaced 14 residents. The tragedy, which began with a 911 call reporting a stabbing, ended in a confrontation that left Bucknor dead and two victims fighting for their lives in a hospital. The Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division is now piecing together the events, as questions linger about the use of lethal force and the circumstances that led to this devastating outcome.
The incident began around 8:20 a.m. in the 8300 block of Indian Head Highway in Fort Washington, where police responded to reports of a domestic-related stabbing. Officers arrived to find a man and a woman suffering from severe stab wounds, both in critical condition. According to authorities, Bucknor, who was known to the victims, was responsible for the attack. Before fleeing the scene, he allegedly set fire to an apartment in a three-story building, forcing eight adults and six children from their homes. Firefighters battled visible flames on the third floor, and while no one was injured in the blaze, the damage was significant enough to displace multiple families. The Prince George’s County Fire Department and the Office of the Fire Marshal are still investigating the cause of the fire, which added a layer of chaos to an already volatile situation.
Bucknor’s actions set the stage for a manhunt that ended less than two hours later at National Harbor, a bustling waterfront destination known for its restaurants and tourist attractions. Around 10 a.m., police located Bucknor near St. George Boulevard and Potomac Passage. According to the Attorney General’s office, Bucknor was still armed with a knife and advanced toward one of the officers, prompting a deadly response. Corporal Phillip Johnson, an 18-year veteran of the Prince George’s County Police Department, and Acting Lieutenant James Martinez, a 13-year veteran, opened fire. Bucknor was struck and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Authorities have not disclosed how many shots were fired or whether body camera footage is available, though the Independent Investigations Division is conducting a thorough review of the encounter.
The two stabbing victims, whose identities have not been released, remain in critical but stable condition. One has since been discharged from the hospital, while the other continues to receive treatment. Their recovery, while a glimmer of hope, is overshadowed by the broader impact of the incident. Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz called the events “unfortunate,” noting the tragedy of violence erupting on a day meant for celebration. He urged families to seek help for loved ones struggling with personal crises, emphasizing the need for community support to prevent such outcomes.
The officers involved, both assigned to the Bureau of Patrol, have been placed on paid administrative leave, a standard procedure pending the investigation’s outcome. Neither Johnson nor Martinez was injured during the confrontation. Efforts to reach the officers and Bucknor’s family for comment were unsuccessful, leaving many questions unanswered about the moments leading up to the shooting.
The Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division, tasked with examining all police-involved shootings in the state, is leading the inquiry. The division spent over eight hours at the scene collecting evidence and is now appealing to the public for information. Witnesses or anyone with relevant details are encouraged to contact the division directly. As the investigation unfolds, the community is left to reflect on a day that began with promise but ended in loss, a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the far-reaching consequences of violence.
