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Police identify security guard, suspected shoplifter killed in Prince George’s Co.

Prince George’s County police have released the identity of a security guard and a suspected shoplifter who shot and killed one another at a Giant grocery store in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on Friday.

The store security guard has been identified as 43-year-old Willie Tate of Fredericksburg, Virginia. The alleged shoplifter has been named as 20-year-old Zaila Akida of District Heights.

According to a , officers responded to the Giant grocery store on Audrey Lane in Oxon Hill around 10:30 a.m. on Friday.



On the scene, police say they discovered both Tate and Akida suffering from gunshot wounds. Tate was pronounced dead on the scene, while Akida was transported to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Police said a “preliminary investigation revealed Tate attempted to prevent Akida from stealing items from the store. During that encounter, Akida pulled out a gun from a backpack and shot Tate. Tate was able to return fire, striking Akida.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 1-866-411-8477.

Valerie Bonk

Valerie Bonk started working at ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ in 2016 and has lived in Howard County, Maryland, her entire life. She's thrilled to be a reporter for ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ telling stories on air. She works as both a television and radio reporter in the Maryland and D.C. areas. 

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