Gaithersburg, MD — Nearly three decades after the fatal shooting of a young police officer in her Maryland apartment, authorities have arrested her former boyfriend, finally bringing new momentum to a case that has haunted law enforcement for years.
Amir Jalil Ali Charged in 1995 Killing
Amir Jalil Ali, 62, of Laurel, Maryland, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with first-degree murder in the 1995 killing of Denna Fredericka Campbell, a 24-year-old officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, D.C.
Ali, who was known at the time as Kenneth Burnell Wonsom, had previously been charged shortly after Campbell’s death, but the case was dropped just two months later by Montgomery County prosecutors.
“I was not privy to, nor do I know, what the conversation was regarding why the charges were dropped at that point in time,” said Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy, referring to decisions made by his predecessor.
Officer Feared for Her Life, Friends Say
Campbell was found shot five times in her Silver Spring apartment on September 16, 1995. Her department-issued handgun was missing — and has still never been recovered.
According to the police report, Ali called 911 around 3 a.m., claiming he had returned home from a store to find Campbell dead and blamed a burglary. However, investigators found no signs of forced entry or theft, and later determined that the shooter likely used Campbell’s own weapon.
“If I don’t show up for work Saturday, you’ll know he killed me and buried me somewhere,”
Campbell reportedly told a colleague shortly before her death.
Her co-workers told investigators she had been afraid of Ali and often slept with her gun under her pillow. She had also reportedly said she was planning to leave him.
DNA Evidence and Reopened Case Lead to Arrest
Detectives believe DNA evidence placed Ali at the scene and indicated he was injured during a struggle with Campbell. Although the case went cold for years, renewed efforts by the Montgomery County Police Department’s Cold Case Unit and modern forensic tools led to this week’s breakthrough.
“While this arrest won’t erase the pain of losing Denna, we hope that it brings some resolution and sense of peace to everyone involved,”
said Montgomery County Police Chief Marc Yamada.
Family and Department React to Arrest
Detective Paula Hamill, who helped lead the renewed investigation, said she contacted Campbell’s father on the day of Ali’s arrest.
“And the only words that he could get out were ‘thank God,’” Hamill recalled. “It was a long time coming.”
Ali is currently being held in custody without bond, and no attorney has yet been listed in online court records.
Remembering Officer Denna Campbell
A four-year MPD veteran, Campbell had already distinguished herself as a dedicated public servant. In 1993, she made headlines for pulling four victims from a burning van on Pennsylvania Avenue.
“Those actions proved Officer Campbell was ready to place the safety of those in the community above herself,”
said MPD Executive Assistant Chief Andre Wright.
Her murder devastated the department and left colleagues searching for justice. Now, after 29 years, her family and fellow officers may finally get some closure.
What’s your reaction to this long-awaited arrest? Share your thoughts in the comments.
