PG County Man Accused Of Beating Dad To Death With Hammer

FORT WASHINGTON, MD — A Prince George's County man is facing charges after authorities said he beat his father to death with a hammer, according to police and a report.

Christopher Wiley Cooper, 22, of Fort Washington, was arrested Friday and charged with first- and second-degree murder in the death of 59-year-old Patrick Cooper, also of Fort Washington, Prince George's County police said in a news release.

According to police, officers responded to a home in the 8000 block of Den Meade Avenue after receiving a call about an attempted suicide. Officers located Patrick Cooper inside the home suffering from trauma. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Christopher Cooper’s mother told police she woke up at around 5 a.m. to find her son repeatedly hitting her husband with a hammer, according to an arrest warrant obtained by WTOP. She told them she eventually was able to take the hammer from her son.

Police found Christopher Cooper inside the home suffering from multiple self-inflicted stab wounds to the abdomen, authorities said.

According to police, investigators determined Christopher Cooper fatally assaulted his father before stabbing himself. An autopsy revealed that Patrick Cooper died from blunt force trauma.

Anyone with information relevant to this investigation should call investigators at 301-516-2512.

Anyone with information can also contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, use the “P3 Tips” mobile app or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous. Please refer to case number 25-0013238.