On June 18 at 8:06 p.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of Morris Drive in La Plata for the report of shots fired and an assault with a gun. A 47-year-old man who lives at that residence had fired shots from a rifle at his girlfriend, who also lives at the residence, as she was fleeing the residence during a dispute. As the woman fled, witnesses driving past the residence stopped and let her in their car. They drove her to a safe location, where police were notified of the incident.
When officers responded to the residence, they found the man had barricaded himself inside the home. The Emergency Services Team (EST) responded and set up a perimeter around the house. Thirteen shots were fired, three shots were in the area of the police officers. Washington Avenue was closed near Rosewick Road and Shining Willow Way. All the homes in the area were evacuated.
The incident ended at 4 a.m. on June 19 when EST members arrested the man without incident. EST members entered the residence and were able to physically subdue the man. He is charged with attempted first degree murder, attempted second degree murder, first degree assault and reckless endangerment. Additional charges are pending. Det. J. Pratta is investigating. The man is not being named to protect the woman's identity.
Charles County Crime Solvers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in Charles County that leads to an arrest or indictment. Anyone with information about a crime may contact Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. All callers may remain anonymous.