Tawfiq Abdul Haqq Police Video Shows Officer Firing Four Times Before His Death in Suitland

LANHAM, Md. — Newly released police video is intensifying questions over the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Tawfiq Abdul Haqq, showing a Prince George's County officer firing multiple times during an encounter in Suitland.

Known to his family as Bernard Gibson III, Haqq was shot Aug. 21 by Officer Corbin Davis. His relatives and attorneys dispute the officer's use of deadly force while Maryland investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Body and dashboard camera footage shows multiple police vehicles following a white Honda and Haqq's black Tesla onto Reamy Drive, a dead-end street. Authorities have not publicly explained why officers began following the two vehicles.

The encounter shifted when Haqq drove around Davis' cruiser and through a residential yard. Video shows Davis getting out of his cruiser, moving into the Tesla's path and pointing his weapon as the vehicle approached.

Davis can be heard repeatedly ordering Haqq not to move before firing at least four shots. The Tesla then collided with another police cruiser before officers removed Haqq from the vehicle and began providing medical aid.

Emergency crews transported the wounded driver to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. Davis was not injured and was placed on paid administrative leave.

Maryland's Office of the Attorney General identified Davis as a two-year Prince George's County Police veteran assigned to the District 4 Special Assignment Team. The Independent Investigations Division is examining the shooting to determine whether criminal charges are warranted.

Family members and attorneys gathered Sept. 22 at Capital Christian Fellowship in Lanham, where they challenged the circumstances surrounding the shooting and demanded accountability from authorities.

Attorney William H. “Billy” Murphy Jr., who represents the family, has called the shooting unjustified and disputes that Davis faced a threat requiring deadly force. Malcolm Ruff, another attorney representing the family, has also argued that the released footage provides evidence that Davis should be held accountable.

Relatives knew the 33-year-old as Bernard Gibson III before he changed his name to Tawfiq Abdul Haqq. He was killed three days before his 34th birthday.

Cousin Mike Slaughter remembered him as the “life of the party” among relatives and close friends. Family members said he enjoyed boxing, finance, investing and stocks and was a father when he died.

Prince George's County Police notified the attorney general's Independent Investigations Division shortly after the shooting. State investigators have not publicly announced whether Davis' use of deadly force violated Maryland law.