Man faces 66 charges after shooting, carjacking spree in Prince George’s County

A Glen Burnie man with a 1987 murder conviction now faces 66 charges after police say he carried out a fast-moving shooting and carjacking spree across northern Prince George’s County, injuring at least two people and forcing nearby schools into lockdown.

Larry James Simpson, 68, was ordered held without bond Monday after a judge heard the new case against him. Prosecutors said the case will also examine how Simpson was free after serving about 35 years of a life sentence plus 40 years for the earlier Prince George’s County murder conviction. Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson said that history is now part of the inquiry, along with the violent events of May 15.

Police said the ordeal began around 2:30 p.m. near the 5100 block of Pierce Avenue in College Park, where Simpson was reported firing from a car. About 20 minutes later, police said, he shot at a 64-year-old man, shattering a vehicle window and cutting the man’s face. Around 3 p.m., investigators say Simpson crashed a vehicle near 67th Avenue and Patterson Road in East Riverdale and began shooting at people there before moving on to Good Luck Road and Kenilworth Avenue in Riverdale Park, where he allegedly shot at and carjacked a woman.

An off-duty Prince George’s County police officer in an unmarked personal vehicle followed Simpson after the carjacking and relayed information through his wife, who is also a police officer, helping lead officers to the suspect. The chase ended in the 900 block of Edmonston Road, where police said Simpson fired at the off-duty officer and then pointed his gun at U.S. Park Police officers before he was taken into custody. Officers said he was out of bullets, dropped the weapon and was arrested without any additional shots fired. Police recovered an AR-15 rifle.

Police said at least two victims were taken to a hospital, with one in critical condition and another with life-threatening injuries. WTOP reported that at least 16 people were considered victims, including one person shot and another hurt by broken glass. Nearby schools were briefly locked down, and most restrictions were lifted by about 4:25 p.m.

Jackson said Simpson’s 1987 conviction, his sentence, a 2022 post-conviction motion seeking a drug and alcohol evaluation, and his transfer to the state Department of Health in 2023 are all part of the broader review. WTOP reported he had been living free and unsupervised since April 2023 after completing substance-abuse treatment and that his sentence was extended after an attempted escape from a prison in Cumberland. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 15, unless a grand jury acts first.