Police suspect robbery was the motive behind a quadruple shooting in a quiet Hyattsville neighborhood Wednesday night that killed two men.
Investigators believe three African-American men approached the victims about 8:30 p.m. in the 3300 block of Manorwood Drive. The robbers forced the men out of the car and took their money. Police say, for some reason, one of the robbers opened fire on all four victims.
"I heard five shots straight, five straight shots, like pop, pop, pop, pop, pop. And then two quick shots, like pop, pop -- like a finishing shot, two in a row," said one witness.
Afterwards, Nelson Hernandez and a friend lay dead. They were among a group of four friends who were on their way to RFK stadium to watch the olympic team from Hernandez's native El Salvador.
Neighbors were stunned by the sudden violence in what's usually a quiet neighborhood.
"This kind of thing, never happened. Never had anything like this," said neighbor Narvie Larry.
A sedan was seen heading in the wrong direction on Manorwood, which is a one-way street, after the shooting.
Police say there is a growing gang problem in the neighborhood, and residents say they are concerned things are getting worse.
"It's going to get worse, not better," said Larry. "It's going to get worse."
Police immediately dismissed neighborhood speculation that the incident had anything to do with a text messaging that recently circulated, claiming Wednesday night was prime time for gang initiations.
"That's an urban legend," said Major Kevin Davis of Prince George's County Police. "Those things pop up from time to time, but there is no immediate indication that this had anything to do with this crime scene."
most people do not ,even if they could, carry guns when they are workiin on a building.
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