Man Charged With Murder In Joppatowne Homicide: Harford Sheriff

JOPPATOWNE, MD — Officials say they have made an arrest in the deadly shooting of a Joppatowne man, and that the suspect had threatened the victim earlier in the day.

Alton William Cumbo Jr., 23, of Edgewood, is charged with first- and second-degree murder and first- and second-degree assault in Friday's fatal shooting.

Detectives from the Harford County Sheriff's Office said they arrested Cumbo as he was walking his dog in a residential area in Towson at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15.

They had obtained a warrant for his arrest Tuesday in connection with the death of William James Doran, 29, of Joppatowne.

Officials said Cumbo had threatened Doran on Friday, Dec. 10, before the Joppatowne man was found shot in a vehicle. Doran was driving in the 500 block of Dembytown Road when investigators reported he was shot and crashed into a utility pole around 6:45 p.m.

He was taken to the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, where officials said he was pronounced deceased.

“We want to thank all who helped with this case," Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler said in a statement. “It’s because of these positive relationships with entities such as the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Maryland State Police Bel Air Barrack and the Baltimore County Police, that we were able to take this dangerous individual into custody. Their help, along with information and support from our community, has ensured that a murderer will have his day in court.”

Officials said they do not believe there is a threat to the community now that the suspect is in custody.

Anyone with information or who may have video related to the case can call Detective Moro with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 443-409-3154. To remain anonymous, send information through the Metro Crime Stoppers Tipline at 1-866-7Lockup.

Related: Homicide In Joppatowne Under Investigation