Holly MatkinWaldorf, MD – Two Charles County sheriff’s deputies remain hospitalized after being shot multiple times while trying to serve an arrest warrant on an assault suspect on Monday afternoon.
The attack occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. on May 17 after the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) received a call from one of the suspect’s family members saying the suspect was at a residence in the 6300-block of Josephine Road and that he had mental health issues, WTTG reported.
The family member told deputies the suspect was in the midst of a potentially dangerous “mental health episode” and that the family wanted him removed, CCSO spokesperson Diane Richardson told the Associated Press.
Deputies responded to the home and were allowed inside by the family member, Richardson said.
But as they began heading to the upstairs room where the suspect was located, he suddenly emerged and opened fire on them, according to police.
Two deputies were shot multiple times during the attack, Richardson said.
At least one of the rounds struck one of the deputies in the chest, according to WTTG.
They returned fire, but investigators said it is too early to tell whether or not they hit the suspect.
They were able to retreat from the home and got themselves to safety before they were both flown to a local hospital for treatment of their gunshot wounds, the Associated Press reported.
The gunman barricaded himself inside the home after the exchange of gunfire, according to WTTG.
#BreakingNews #sky9 video from earlier of an officer involved shooting in Waldorf Md at 6300 blk of Josephine rd. 2 Charles co officers seriously injured after they were shot while attempting to serve a warrant. There is still an active barricade. Video is from earlier… pic.twitter.com/FU0E1epkhK
— Ryan Sprouse (@RSprouseNews) May 17, 2021
Investigators later sent in a drone to assess the situation and found the suspect dead.
It is unclear whether he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound or from bullets fired by the deputies, police said.
Investigators said they found a handgun equipped with an extended magazine next to the suspect’s body, WTTG reported.
The deputies were both being rushed into surgery on Monday, but are expected to survive, Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry told reporters late in the day, according to WTTG.
UPDATE: Suspect found dead inside #Waldorf home, after 2 officers shot. @7NewsDC pic.twitter.com/wTI1TCUiGU
— Anna-Lysa Gayle (@AnnaLysaGayle) May 18, 2021
“Our two injured officers are in stable condition. Our thoughts continue to be with our officers and the family involved in this situation,” the CCSO tweeted on Monday night.
Sheriff Berry said he was heading to the hospital to sit with the wounded deputies’ families on Monday night, WTTG reported.
“It’s not over for me. I still have to go and console injured officers,” the sheriff said. “I have to also stand by family members. I really ask [for] the community‘s thoughts and prayers onto behalf of everyone involved in this terrible situation.”
Sheriff Berry said the deputies were not wearing bodycams at the time of the incident, WTTG reported.
Authorities have not released the names of the wounded heroes, nor that of the gunman.
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Sandy Malone
