The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Car stolen from 68-year-old man slain after pumping gas found burned in D.C.

Clifton E. Powell Jr. holds a family photo of his uncle, 68-year-old Alonzo Jackson, and Jackson's wife. (LaVendrick Smith/The Washington Post)

The Dodge Charger stolen from a 68-year-old man who was slain after pumping gas in Capitol Heights was found burned and abandoned, but police are still hunting for the shooter who took the vehicle.

Alonzo Jackson was fatally shot Wednesday morning at a gas station in the 4900 block of Marlboro Pike before a man got in his car and sped off, according to Prince George’s County police. Jackson had just finished filling the tank at about 7 a.m. at a station a little more than a mile from his home in Southeast Washington.

Jackson’s nephew and godson, Clifton E. Powell Jr., said in a written statement to The Washington Post that Jackson’s black 2015 car was found and had been set on fire. County police confirmed that the car was burned and found in the area of Michigan Avenue and 14th Street in Northeast Washington but did not say when it was located.

Man fatally shot, car stolen after pumping gas at a station in Capitol Heights

“This senseless act of violence has outraged the entire family [and] friends!” Powell wrote. “It was not his time to die, especially [for] a materialistic item such as his car!”

Police on Friday released new video showing the man suspected of shooting Jackson. They are hoping to generate tips from the community as detectives continue to investigate the case.

Jackson’s family mourned Friday as they hoped for an arrest. Friends and relatives changed their profile photos on Facebook to show an image of Jackson, with the word “JUSTICE” displayed underneath in red letters.

Neighbors said they often saw Jackson outside his home, cleaning his car. They called it one of his prized possessions and one he tended to with great care.

Powell described his uncle as a caring person who would do anything to help anyone, a person who was well loved and well known in the community. The family is planning a vigil to honor his memory.

“We demand justice,” Powell wrote, “and this individual must be caught and taken off the streets!”

Authorities are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case. Police are asking anyone who sees the suspected shooter to call 911.

Anyone with information who wants to remain anonymous can call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

To watch the video released Friday, visit wapo.st/GasStationVideo

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