Man Wielding Spear Stabs Family Member, Is Fatally Shot By Police

COLUMBIA, MD — A 23-year-old man armed with a large double-edge spear has been fatally shot by Howard County police officers.

According to the Howard County Police Department, it appears the man repeatedly stabbed a family member, later identified as his brother, with the 30-inch-long spear inside a home in the area of Carters Lane and Oakland Mills Road. The family member was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.

Sherry Llewellyn, a spokesperson for the Howard County Police Department, said Samuel Louie Booker IV, 26, of Columbia reported to police his brother had stabbed him multiple times, WBAL reported. Soon after, the suspect called police to say he stabbed his brother.

Witnesses told police the 23-year-old started to approach an officer, who was forced to fire his weapon after the suspect refused to back away from police, Llewellyn said.

The stabbing victim was taken to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in critical condition, Llewellyn said.