PGCPS employee shot dead outside home

LAUREL, Md. - Violence marred the Thanksgiving season in a Prince George's County neighborhood after a shooting claimed a man's life.

The incident occurred just after 9 p.m. Tuesday when Prince George's County police officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 12600 block of Silverbirch Lane in Laurel. Upon arrival, they found a man lying on the ground with gunshot wounds. 

The victim has been identified by police as 58-year-old Jerome Stocks of Laurel, a Prince George's County Public Schools supervisor. Stocks was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators are still working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting. 

A neighbor told FOX 5’s Maureen Umeh that he believes the victim is his friend and neighbor. He thinks Stocks was shot while in a car, adding that he heard six to seven gunshots and saw a gray car speeding away.

Umeh also spoke to another neighbor who wished to remain anonymous. This neighbor also knew the victim and said the shooting had left the usually quiet community shaken.

Darius Jackson, 31, of Oxon Hill, Md. Photo via PGPD.

The suspect wanted in connection to the shooting was taken into custody Tuesday night. PGPD identified him as 31-year-old Darius Jackson of Oxon Hill. He is charged with the murder of Stocks.