On the evening of February 2, 1980, Prince George’s County Police Officer Antonio Martinez Kelsey, 22, was killed in Landover while working a secondary assignment at a liquor store on George Palmer Highway. Officer Kelsey, in full uniform and a one-year department member, observed a man he believed had marijuana and followed him outside to make an arrest. A foot chase led to a struggle near George Palmer Highway and Columbia Park Road, during which the suspect gained control of Kelsey’s service weapon and fired. Antonio Martinez Kelsey died of his wounds.

The man charged in the case was identified as 27-year-old Steven Baines. At trial Baines testified the shooting occurred accidentally during the struggle and that he thought he was being robbed, not that his assailant was an officer. Prosecutors said Baines had waved a bag of marijuana in front of Kelsey before fleeing the store. A jury convicted Baines of second-degree murder and sentenced him to 45 years.

If anyone knew Officer Kelsey, the scene that night, or has information about the events leading up to the struggle, please share what you remember.