Mailman, 26, shot dead while making his rounds: Postal worker who was running late on new route gunned down in mystery killing

  • Tyson Jerome Barnette, 26, was killed while making his deliveries in Prince George's County, Maryland on Saturday evening
  • Authorities are still trying to identify suspects and a motive
  • The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information
  • Any person who kills or attempts to kill any federal officer or employee while they are on official duties could face the death penalty

By Daily Mail Reporter and Associated Press

Published: 17:46 EST, 24 November 2013 | Updated: 19:27 EST, 24 November 2013

A postal worker has been shot and killed while delivering mail in Prince George's County, Maryland, on Saturday evening.

Police have identified the victim as 26-year-old Tyson Jerome Barnette of Upper Marlboro. Authorities are still trying to identify suspects and a motive in the case.

Officers were called to Reed Street in Cheverly-Landover just after 7.20pm on Saturday and found Barnette suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Victim: Postal worker Tyson Barnette was shot while on duty in Maryland on Saturday evening

Victim: Postal worker Tyson Barnette was shot while on duty in Maryland on Saturday evening

The US Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information in connection with Barnette's death.

NBC reported that other postal workers had visited the scene and were extremely concerned about their own safety. One emotional carrier told the station: 'That could have been me.'

 

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One local resident told the Washington Post that he saw the postal carrier just before the shooting occurred.

The man said that he returned home just as the worker was placing mail into his letter box, but it wasn't his usual postman and he didn't respond when the resident called out to him. 

Mystery: Officers were called to Reed Street in Cheverly-Landover just after 7.20 on Saturday evening and Barnette was suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene

Mystery: Officers were called to Reed Street in Cheverly-Landover just after 7.20pm on Saturday and found Barnette suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene

VIDEO: Postal worker shot dead on duty


Within minutes of entering his house the man told the Post he heard two or three gunshots. When he looked out of his window he said he saw a postal service vehicle, but no sign of the worker.

There have been complaints in recent months that postal carriers are having to deliver mail later in the day, sometimes after it is dark.

Local residents have noted Saturday's postal delivery was much later than usual.

Barnette had been a letter carrier for six years and had been on this particular Landover route three times in the last month.

Authorities are asking any witnesses to call Prince George's County police with information.

Reward: The US Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward up to $100,000 for information in connection with Barnette's death

Reward: The US Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information in connection with Barnette's death

According to the USPS, any person who kills or attempts to kill any federal officer or employee while they are on official duties could face the death penalty.

The National Association of Letter Carriers has released a statement saying the incident shows the need for safety considerations in how and when mail is delivered.

Shootings of mail carriers in uniform and on their rounds are extremely unusual.


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There is no mystery...it is crime riddled Prince Georges County. I live in Maryland and avoid going there at all costs.

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Suburban Maryland was virtually crime free growing up until they built the metro linking Maryland to dc with all the thugs Now Maryland with the dc thugs and the infamous illegal Mexican gang of m16 is as crime ridden as dc

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For all the gripping we do about the US Postal Service, the one thing I can say is they take it very, VERY seriously if you kill a postal worker. It's actually worse than killing a local police officer, in terms of how hard they will go after you,and the penalties for the crime. I remember one case where the person murdered a bunch of people, including a State Trooper, and a Postal Employee. They tried the criminal for murdering the Postal worker, because that had more penalties, and yes they did get the death sentence.

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As a letter carrier I am greatly saddened by this. Many times carriers are sent out to dangerous neighborhoods after dark without a second thought by management. No one should be put in the position. May he rest in peace!!

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RIP, Mr Barnette..... My oldest child is a few years younger than you were ; and is dearly loved -------my husband and I would be devastated if this happened !

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If only all murders were a federal crime, our prisons wont be full. Hope they find the killer.

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I live in UM and saw this on the news tonight. Previous posters are right: some neighborhoods in the county have gone to the dogs. It's quite sad. I pray for his family and that they catch the thug who killed him.

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How sad....rest in peace and my hearfelt sympathy to his family!

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I don't understand why he was out so late ± especially on a Saturday !! It's so sad that he was killed while just trying to do his job...

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Stop that knockout game! People are afraid and arming themselves.

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