Shooting Suspect Faces Murder Charges

The suspected triggerman in the death of a Prince George's County police officer now faces murder charges.

Robert Mark Billett was initially charged with attempted murder in the shooting of Corporal Steve Gaughan.

That charge has since been upgraded, since Gaughan died Tuesday evening. Major Vincent Gay, commander of the Criminal Investigations Division, says during yesterday's shootout in Laurel, Billett was hit in the arm, leg and side.

He's hospitalized in stable condition. Billett is 43, from Bladensburg, and according to Gay has several prior arrests, including drug and assault charges.

Gay says one of the officers with Gaughan recognized one of a group of men in a car and thought there actions were, as Gay puts it, "somewhat suspicious."

That led to the traffic stop that ended in tragedy.

Police Chief Melvin High also says that contrary to what police reported Tuesday, Gaughan was not wearing a bulletproof vest.

The chief says he doesn't know why.

In the meantime, some flags in Prince George's County will be flown at half-staff for one week in honor of Corporal Gaughan.

County Executive Jack Johnson has ordered all state and county flags lowered at Prince George's government buildings. He's also encouraging private businesses to do the same. In addition, Johnson is asking the community to keep Gaughan's family in their prayers. Gaughan -- a 15-year veteran of the force -- is survived by his wife, Donna, and two children.

A viewing will be held Friday, followed by a Saturday funeral. The viewing will take place at the Borgwardt Funeral Home in Beltsville from 2 to 4 p.m., and again from 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service will be at noon Saturday at the Riverdale Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro. Gaughan was active at Greenbelt Baptist Church. But the pastor there, Mark Johnson says that the other facility is bigger, so the funeral will be there.

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