Officer Involved Shooting

8/3/2012

On Aug. 2 at 11:44 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of Hamlin Road in Waldorf for the report of a domestic assault in progress. The female caller said her boyfriend - the father of her children - was at her house, assaulting her. She also indicated the suspect was destroying property inside and making threats that officers would have to kill him.

When the first officer arrived on the scene, he was immediately confronted by the suspect who was outside and armed with two large knives - which were raised up at shoulder level. The officer drew his firearm and gave several commands for the suspect to drop the weapons.

The suspect refused and instead made a furtive movement toward the officer, placing the officer in fear for his safety. At that point, the officer discharged his firearm, striking the suspect several times. The suspect, a 50-year-old male, was flown to a hospital where he was admitted with non life-threatening injuries. Forensic personnel recovered two large knives from the scene.

The officer, a one-year-veteran, was placed on administrative leave in accordance with agency policy. A warrant is on file charging the suspect with first-degree assault, attempted second-degree assault, carrying a deadly weapon, reckless endangerment, and failure to obey a lawful order.

The investigation is continuing.