A Maryland man who was on his way to pick up his 7-year-old daughter from after-school care was shot to death by a driver who was trying to merge.
The Prince George’s County Police Department announced that Polo Shaw has been charged with first and second-degree murder in connection to the death of Darian Ragland. Shaw, 33, is currently being held in jail without bond.
The incident leading to the arrest took place on April 10 around 4:30 p.m. when Ragland, 39, was driving in Temple Hills, Maryland.
Shaw attempted to merge in front of Ragland’s car, though Ragland wouldn’t allow him to do so, according to charging documents viewed by WRC. Authorities said that the two men continued onto Branch Avenue, where they appeared to be “pacing” each other’s speeds.
As they reached the 4700 block of Branch Avenue, Shaw allegedly shot Ragland through the passenger window of the victim’s car. Ragland then veered left and crossed the road’s median, where he struck a barrier wall.
Shaw had fled the scene before officers arrived. Ragland was wounded at the time of their arrival, and he was later pronounced dead.
Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson said that authorities believe Ragland had no indication that the driving incident would turn violent.
“It’s especially troubling when it appears that the victim had no idea, was not involved in any sort of confrontation and just was attacked out of nowhere,” Jackson said, per the outlet.
On April 13, the police department announced that they were offering a reward of up to $25,000 “for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.” Shaw was then arrested and charged just days later.
“The preliminary investigation revealed Shaw shot Ragland during a road rage incident,” the police department said in a Monday, April 20, statement. “The suspect and victim were not known to each other.”
Investigators reportedly linked Shaw to the incident after his cellphone was tracked to the area at the time of the shooting. Additionally, a license plate reader found that his vehicle was about five miles away just 17 minutes after the fatal shooting.
Shaw is scheduled to appear in court regarding the charges on May 18.
It is not currently clear if Shaw has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The Prince George’s County Police Department did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment regarding the case.
