PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (March 15, 2008)—A potentially dangerous hostage situation in Dunkirk last Saturday, March 8, ended with no one being injured.
At approximately 3:12 p.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police and deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff Office responded to Kirksville Lane in Dunkirk in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival officers learned that a handgun had been fired, but no one had been struck.
Investigators say that Francis Taylor, 52, of Dunkirk, had held several members of his family at gun point. One family member, Henry Hargrove escaped from the residence and ran for help while Taylor allegedly fired the gun behind him.
Taylor was placed under arrest at the scene without incident.
Police say Taylor denied being involved in the incident. Taylor did however admit that there was a Protective Order against him forbidding him to be at the residence, according to police.
Taylor was charged with 1st degree assault and violation of a protective order. He is being held at the Calvert County Detention Center on $100,000.
The investigation has been turned over to the Calvert Investigative Team.