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Chief reports shooting and ATM theft at the Ebony Inn; building posted 'not approved for occupancy'
Summary
Fairmount Heights' police chief reported a contact shooting inside the Ebony Inn and a subsequent early‑morning ATM theft; county police and inspectors posted the building 'not approved for occupancy' pending security and occupancy plan updates, and a federal trial for a former officer was moved to October.
The Fairmount Heights police chief (identified in the meeting transcript as Chief Moore) told the council on July 17 that the department responded to 48 calls for service in the reporting period, and detailed a contact shooting that occurred inside the Ebony Inn in the predawn hours. One person was shot in the leg and is in stable condition, Chief Moore said; Prince George's County Police are handling the investigation.
Chief Moore said that, a few days after the shooting, unknown people broke into the Ebony Inn at about 5 a.m., used tools to cut open the ATM and stole it; the break‑in was noticed by a passerby at around 7:30 a.m. but police were not called until about 10 a.m., he said. County detectives, agents assigned to homeland security and county fire and building inspectors joined the local response.
Following inspections, county officials placed a notice on the door stating the building was "not approved for occupancy" and required a new security plan, an updated security license and a reinspection before a new use‑and‑occupancy certificate can be issued. Chief Moore said multiple code violations were found and that the town is coordinating with county agencies on next steps.
In other public‑safety updates, the chief said the federal trial date for a former officer, Vanderpool, has been moved to October; he has been in contact with the U.S. attorney's office and the FBI and will keep the council apprised as information becomes public.
Why it matters: an occupied commercial facility with an active security concern and recent violent incident presents safety, licensing and enforcement questions for the town and for county agencies. The building's status affects local patrons, nearby parking and the town's code enforcement workload.
The chief said the incident "was no threat to the community" in the sense of broader public danger, but emphasized the need for a proper security plan and coordination with county investigators and inspectors before reopening.
Next steps: Chief Moore and code enforcement said they will continue coordinating with county agencies and will report back to the council once county inspectors complete their review and any required reinspection and licensing procedures are satisfied.
