'Molotov Cocktail' Thrown In Liquor Store Seriously Injures Employee (ICYMI)

BELTSVILLE, MD — Two liquor store employees were injured in Beltsville after a man threw a destructive device with a flaming product inside the store, Mark Brady with the Prince George's County Fire Department announced Wednesday.

Officials say the man—identified as Kevon Robert Edwards, 23, of Laurel—entered the liquor store in the 11700 block of Beltsville Dr. at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

Edwards is alleged to have thrown the destructive device inside the liquor store, which struck two employees and ignited combustibles on store shelves, Brady said. Brady called the device a "Molotov Cocktail," also known as a petrol bomb or a fire bomb.

Edwards then fled the store but was quickly detained by police. Firefighters arrived and transported both men to a Burn Unit. One of the employees remains hospitalized with serious burn injuries, while the other was treated and released, officials said.

Fire loss is estimated to be $2,000. Edwards was arrested on a slew of charges, including: attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, assault first-degree, two counts of assault second-degree, arson second-degree, reckless endangerment and four counts of destructive device – manufacture/possess/distribute, Brady said.

Edwards is currently being held at the County Detention Center in Upper Marlboro, without bond pending trial.

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