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LANDOVER, Md. – A postal worker was shot to death while delivering mail about 10 miles from the nation’s capital, police said.
Police found Tyson Jerome Barnette, 26, dead from apparent gunshot wounds after a call to a Landover street.
It’s rare for a postal worker to be killed while delivering mail, a U.S. Postal Service spokesman said. A postal worker was killed north of Houston in May and in 2010, a deliveryman in Miami was shot to death.
A news release from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service notes that postal inspectors and Prince George’s County Police responded to the shooting around 7:20 p.m.
Kelly Crisp, who lives within sight of the house, didn’t see the shooting, and says “I don’t recall having any kind of violent crime around here.”
“It is a sad case,” said neighbor Duane Brigham, who has lived in the neighborhood for about two years but wasn’t home at the time of the shooting. “It is a little surprising that they’re [delivering] mail that late.”
The National Association of Letter Carriers says due to staffing cuts, many postal workers are working longer hours into later in the day, according to an ABC 7 report.
Barnette, who lived in the 14000 block of Lord Marlborough Place in Upper Marlboro, died at the scene.
Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers released the following statement:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the letter carrier and his family during this very difficult time. We are all deeply saddened.
The nation’s letter carriers deliver the mail in every community throughout the country. This tragic incident highlights the need in all operational decisions about how and when mail is delivered to give priority consideration to the safety of these dedicated public servants.”
The postal inspection service notes in its release that “any person who kills or attempts to kill any officer or employee of the United States while the employee is engaged in the performance of his official duties can be sentenced to the death penalty (18 USC 1114).”
Anyone with information related to this crime should contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or Prince George’s County Police at 301-772- 4925. Do not take any action to apprehend the suspects. All information will be kept confidential.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip online.
