CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MD – According to the authorities, an employee of a carry-out restaurant in Capitol Heights, Maryland, fatally shot a man who was robbing the establishment and assaulting its staff on Thursday afternoon. The robber, identified as 27-year-old Victor Rios Rubio of Capitol Heights, was declared dead at the scene.
The incident unfolded around 4:40 p.m. at Oriental Express, located in the 5200 block of Marlboro Pike. Prince George’s County police responded to the scene to find Rios Rubio with gunshot wounds. A preliminary investigation led police to surmise that an employee had shot Rios Rubio while he was engaging in a robbery and attacking the restaurant’s employees. Fortunately, no customers were present during the shooting.
Oriental Express, located in a small strip mall, has been running for about two decades and is operated by a family. The restaurant’s owners were described as quiet, hardworking individuals by a local resident, Arslan Raja, who was also their neighbor. He expressed concerns about the rising crime in the area.
The investigation is still ongoing, with the gun used in the incident already recovered. Police are coordinating with the State’s Attorney’s Office. With the presence of a security camera near the cash register, anyone with potentially relevant information is urged to contact the police.
As of Friday, the restaurant’s front windows and doors were closed, and flowers and teddy bears were placed outside as an informal memorial.