MECHANICSVILLE, Md. — A Mechanicsville man is facing felony and misdemeanor assault charges after Maryland State Police say he racked a shotgun during a late-night domestic argument while intoxicated.
According to court documents filed in St. Mary’s County District Court, troopers responded to the 25000 block of Jones Road at approximately 12:19 a.m. on June 10 for a report of a verbal domestic incident involving firearms. Upon arrival, police made contact with the wife of the accused, who reported that her husband, 59-year-old Darrin James Cook, had returned home intoxicated and angry.
The complainant told authorities that Cook had requested access to firearms stored in the home. When she declined, citing his intoxicated state, she reported that Cook became agitated and continued to argue. Fearing for her safety due to what she described as unpredictable behavior when he drinks, she locked herself in the spare bedroom and blocked the door with a stopper.
According to the statement of probable cause, Cook allegedly retrieved a shotgun from under the bed in the primary bedroom and called out to his wife, “You forgot this one,” before racking the firearm loudly. She told troopers she feared for her life, unsure whether the shotgun was loaded, and noted that Cook had been suicidal in the past. She remained locked in the spare bedroom until officers arrived.
Upon police entry, Cook exited the bedroom unarmed. He reportedly told troopers he had racked the shotgun to “prove a point” and stated he did not intend harm. He also acknowledged consuming alcohol and described the incident as a verbal dispute.
Police recovered one unloaded Mossberg 500 20-gauge shotgun beneath the bed in a black gun case. Ammunition located in a nearby gun safe was determined to be incompatible with the Mossberg, according to court documents.
Cook, who resides at the Jones Road address, was arrested at 2 a.m. and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. He is charged with first-degree assault and second-degree assault. He remains held without bond pending further proceedings.
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He needs to lay off the juice.
We used to date…. he was my bear, I was his otter. Our wives never found out. Sorry this happened to my hubby.