Crime & Safety

D.C. Police Officer Indicted for Attempted Murder

Authorities allege that an off-duty police officer attacked his wife with a metal lamp post, hitting her in the head repeatedly.

Editor's Note: Patch initially posted this story with an error. The officer charged is a member of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department, not the Prince George's Police Department, as first posted.

A Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Officer has been indicted in Prince George's County for attempted murder and other charges for allegedly attacking his wife with a metal lamp post, according to a news release.

Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks announced Friday that Metropolitan Police Department Officer Samson Lawrence has been indicted for attempted first- and second-degree murder, and related charges stemming from a Nov. 24 incident.

According to Alsobrooks' release, Lawrence was attempting to hang a projection TV in his house and became angry with his wife because she told him she didn’t know where the screws were to hang the projector. At that point, Lawrence reportedly grabbed a can of Lysol and began spraying it in his wife's face every time she said something. Then, when Lawrence’s wife refused to make him something to eat, he allegedly began pushing her.

When his wife attempted to call 911, authorities said Lawrence allegedly grabbed the phone from her and would not let her make the call. The woman then tried to leave the house, but Lawrence followed her and allegedly pushed her to the floor in their living room, picked up a metal light post and began to hit her in the head while she lay on the floor. 

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Lawrence’s wife was able to get free and tried to leave the house again, but Lawrence followed her, cornered her and held two knives by her face and throat and threatened to cut her. When Lawrence’s wife again got free, she was able to leave the house and went to a neighbor’s house to call 911, the release said.

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In addition to the attempted murder charges, Lawrence has also been charged with first- and second-degree assault and wearing and carrying a dangerous weapon with the intent to injure, according to the news release.


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