The Charles County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit arrested Joseph John Plass, 57 of Waldorf, in connection with the homicide of Shelton D. Stephens, 52 of Dunnellon, Fl., who was stabbed last night in a parking lot on Crain Highway.  

On Nov. 12 at 7:38 p.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to the Super 8 Motel located at 3550 Crain Highway in Waldorf, for the report of an unconscious male lying in the lobby. Upon arrival, officers found the victim with stab wounds to his upper body; he was pronounced dead on the scene.

Preliminary investigation revealed the victim left the Hooters restaurant at 3600 Crain Highway and was walking in the parking lot between the restaurant and motel when the suspect approached and stabbed him in the upper body. After the assault, the victim ran to the motel and collapsed in the lobby.

Witnesses provided officers a description of the suspect and indicated he walked back to Hooters. Detectives located the suspect inside the restaurant and recovered a knife from his clothing; he was arrested without incident. The suspect was charged with first-degree murder and remanded to the Charles County Detention Center with no bond.

Investigators determined that the suspect and the victim were inside the restaurant prior to the incident, but there were no obvious indications of an argument between the men nor does it appear they knew each other. It is not clear what led to the assault and investigators are asking anyone with additional information to call Detective Higgs at (301) 609-6498. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1 (866) 411-TIPS.