Police shooting - UPDATE: SUSPECT CHARGED

UPDATE – Feb. 5th, 2:10 p.m.

SUSPECT CHARGED WITH ASSAULT AND POSSESSION OF STOLEN HANDGUN

Charles County Sheriff’s detectives have charged Anthony Darrell Taylor, 23, of no fixed address with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and possession of a handgun in connection with an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Feb. 4 near the intersection of St. Charles Parkway and Post Office Road.

Investigation revealed the suspect was attempting to gain entry into an SUV that was stopped in traffic at a red light. PFC L. Blake, a K9 officer and a seven-year veteran of the CCSO, was in the area and observed Taylor acting aggressively and pulling on the car door handle. PFC Blake stopped to assist the motorist at which time Taylor fled. The driver of the SUV left as well. PFC Blake gave several commands for Taylor to stop and show his hands, but Taylor refused. Instead, he reached for his waistband while turning toward the officer. Fearing for his safety, PFC Blake discharged his firearm, striking Taylor twice. An off-duty Secret Service agent was in the area and assisted PFC Blake in apprehending Taylor. A handgun was found in Taylor’s waistband. Officers secured the weapon and immediately rendered first aid to Taylor until paramedics arrived. Taylor was transported to a hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries. A check of the weapon found on Taylor revealed the gun had been reported stolen during a burglary in Pennsylvania. The driver of the SUV contacted investigators and reported he did not know Taylor and thought Taylor was trying to get inside his car and commit a carjacking.

Detectives assigned to the CCSO Criminal Investigations Division are investigating. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Det. Sgt. T. Miner at (301) 609-6481. In accordance with Agency policy, PFC Blake was placed on Administrative Leave pending the completion of the investigation.

UPDATE – Feb. 4th, 7:08 p.m.

PRELIMINARY REPORT

On February 4, at 2:07 p.m., a CCSO K9 officer was in the area of Post Office Road and St. Charles Parkway in Waldorf when he observed a male standing next to the driver’s window of a car that was stopped at a red light.

There appeared to be a dispute or a confrontation between the man and the driver of the car. It also appeared that the subject was attempting to open the driver’s side door. The officer pulled over to check on the driver’s safety, at which point the suspect fled.

The officer gave several commands for the suspect to stop and show his hands, but the suspect refused. The officer gave more commands but the suspect did not comply and instead reached for his waistband while turning toward the officer. Fearing for his safety, the officer discharged his firearm striking the suspect twice.

An off-duty Secret Service agent was in the area and assisted the officer in apprehending the suspect. A handgun was found in the suspect’s waistband.

Officers secured the weapon and immediately rendered first aid to the suspect until paramedics arrived. The suspect, an adult male in his 20’s, was transported to a hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Detectives assigned to the CCSO Criminal Investigations Division are investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Sgt. T. Miner at (301) 609-6481. In accordance with Agency policy, the officer was placed on Administrative Leave pending the completion of the investigation.

UPDATE – Feb. 4th, 3:30 p.m.

Charles County authorities report St. Charles Parkway is temporarily closed southbound between St. Thomas Drive and St. Ignatius Drive. Please avoid the area until further notice.

Waldorf, MD – Feb. 4th, 3:15 p.m. – Authorities in Charles County confirmed at 2:20 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 that a man sustained a gunshot wound to the leg after a police officer’s firearm was discharged. The incident occurred in Waldorf.

According the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Post Office Road is blocked off to traffic while an investigation is being conducted.

Thomas Stone High School was temporarily placed on lockdown. Katie O’Malley-Simpson, spokeswoman for Charles County Public Schools told The BayNet the lockdown has been lifted. However, due to Post Office Road being closed buses bringing students home from the high school are being re-routed.

More on the story as details are divulged.