Ralph McLean
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- Maryland/Washington, D.C., USA
- Date of birth
- 1966
- Age at first offence
- 29
- Characteristics
- fugitive, murder-suicide, police officer, shooting spree, to avoid arrest
- Victim profile
- Police Corporal John Novabilski / FBI Special Agent William Christian
- Method of murder
- Shooting
- Date(s) of murder
- April 26/May 29, 1995
- Years active
- 1995
- Date of arrest
- —
- Status
-
Died in custody
Killed during a shoot-out with the police on May 29, 1995
Case record: Ralph McLean
Background
Ralph McLean was wanted for two unprovoked attacks on D.C. police officers.
McLean was described as having no motive in either attack except that he hated cops and loved to kill. His motive was also presented as “Cop hater” who shot lawmen from ambush.
The offence
McLean assassinated Corporal John Novabilski and Special Agent William Christian.
Attack on Corporal John Novabilski
On April 26, 1995, Prince George's County Police Corporal John Novabilski was working an off-duty job as a security guard for a local liquor store. He was in uniform and sitting in his marked patrol cruiser. A man walked up to his car with a MAC-11 assault pistol and opened fire without any apparent warning or provocation. Corporal Novabilski was shot at least 10 times. The assailant grabbed the officer's service weapon and ran off.
Attack on Special Agent William Christian
It was about 1 a.m. when FBI Special Agent William Christian was taking out a parking lot at the Greenbelt Middle School. Twenty-six other members of the FBI and Prince George's County Police Department were there with him and they were waiting for a man named Ralph McLean, who was wanted for two unprovoked attacks on D.C. police officers. The team of investigators was spread out so they wouldn't be spotted. McLean had apparently sensed that the police were waiting for him. He emerged from nearby woods and bushes, silently emerged, snuck up on Agent Christian, and shot him several times through the driver side window with his MAC-11 assault pistol. The 20-year FBI veteran never had time to draw his gun. The other officers immediately gave chase and a furious gun battle ensued.
When police had their suspect cornered, McLean turned the gun on himself and committed suicide.
When police found McLean, there were two guns lying near his body: the MAC-11 assault pistol and the stolen service weapon that belonged to Corporal John Novabilski.
Investigation
McLean was wanted for two unprovoked attacks on D.C. police officers.
The investigators were spread out so they wouldn't be spotted.
Arrest
McLean was killed during a shoot-out with the police on May 29, 1995.
Police cornered McLean, and McLean turned the gun on himself and committed suicide.
Outcome
Ralph McLean was killed during a shoot-out with the police on May 29, 1995.
Victims
- Corporal John Novabilski
- Special Agent William Christian
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