Security camera video shows a former Pentagon Police officer firing the shots that killed two men in the parking lot of the Takoma Park, Maryland, building where he lived.
David Dixon says he saw two men trying to break into a van in that lot in April 2021 and wanted to make a citizen’s arrest.
"My intention was to stop a crime in progress, to detain them," Dixon testified at his murder trial Wednesday.
Dominique Williams, James Johnson and a third man were breaking into cars when they encountered Dixon, who was off duty and out of uniform. Court testimony Monday revealed the men were stealing radios and tools and had just broken into a van in the parking lot when Dixon caught them in the act.
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The video played in court shows Dixon driving up behind a car sitting in the parking lot. The parked car's lights come on, and Dixon gets out of his car holding a handgun in front of him.
The driver of the parked car puts it in reverse. Dixon follows, pointing his gun at the windshield. The driver then moves forward past Dixon and starts to leave the parking lot when Dixon is seen firing the gun.
Dixon's lawyers say it was self-defense.
"I pulled the trigger because I was in fear of my life," Dixon testified.
Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy says the men in the car were fleeing and Dixon had a duty to retreat.
The jury will resume deliberations Friday.
