BALTIMORE _ An off-duty Prince George's County police officer was shot and killed Wednesday morning while helping a woman next door in an incident of domestic violence, the department's police chief said.
Cpl. Mujahid Ramzziddin, a 14-year veteran of the department, was fatally shot by a man with a shotgun who had a history of domestic violence, Chief Henry Stawinski said.
"Mujahid stood his ground to defend the life of the individual who had come to him for help," Stawinski said. "He saved her life by giving his own. I'm extraordinarily proud of him."
The gunman drove away and led police on a chase through Charles County and back into Prince George's County before confronting officers. He was killed during the confrontation, Stawinski.
Police have not named the gunman. The chief said he suspects the killer should not have been permitted to have a shotgun because of a violent history.
The chief said Ramzziddin went to help the neighbor who came to his home shortly before 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Soon he found himself facing the shotgun.
Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker III, also a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor, praised Ramzziddin for answering the call for help.
"He was home. He was off duty," Baker said. "He didn't have to answer that door. He didn't have to walk out."
Ramzziddin received the department's Medal of Valor in 2006, and he worked in a special operations unit at National Harbor, police said.
Gov. Larry Hogan said he is ordering flags across the state be lowered in honor of the officer.
"He made the ultimate sacrifice," Hogan said.
