Pentagon responds to officer being charged with second-degree murder

The Pentagon released a statement after an off-duty officer was charged with second-degree murder for shooting and killing two men in Maryland on Wednesday.

Pentagon Police Officer David Hall Dixon shot and killed two men in Takoma Park after he said he thought they were breaking into a car, NBC Washington reported.

The victims were 32-year-old Dominique Williams and 38-year-old James Lionel Johnson. A third man who was driving the car survived, but his name has not been released.

Dixon was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of second-degree murder, reckless endangerment and attempted murder. 

“We are deeply saddened about the tragic incident that occurred on Wednesday morning that led to the arrest of Pentagon Police Officer David Dixon today. Our hearts go out to the family members of the victims and the Takoma Park community as they try to cope with this tragedy,” Daniel P. Walsh, acting director of Pentagon Force Protection Agency, said.

The car belonged to a friend who was with Williams and Johnson when the officer started shooting, the attorney for one of the victims said, according to the local outlet.

“Our investigation revealed that Mr. Dixon’s overview of events was inconsistent with the facts in the case and that Mr. Dixon had no lawful or justifiable reason to shoot and kill Mr. Williams and Mr. Johnson,” Takoma Park Police Chief Antonio DeVaul.

“We have and will continue to fully cooperate with the Takoma Park Police Department and the Montgomery County State Attorney’s office as they work through the case. We acknowledge that every individual is innocent until proven guilty,” Walsh said.

Walsh said Dixon is on administrative leave and there is an internal administrative investigation being conducted.