Suspect Charged with Attempted Murder in Police Shooting

The 29-year-old man suspected of shooting a Howard County Police officer on Wednesday was charged with 14 counts related to the incident on Friday, including attempted murder.

Police announced the charges against Stephon Prather after he was released from the hospital Friday. He is being held at the Howard County Detention Center on no bond. 

Prather is charged with three counts of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of second-degree attempted murder, six counts of assault, one count of reckless endangerment and one count of the use of a firearm in a violent crime. His last known address was listed in court records in the 100 block of Circle Drive in Crownsville.

Prather was taken to the hospital to be treated for two gunshot wounds to his leg, according to police. Police took him into custody on Thursday as he walked along Route 1 near the scene of the shooting, after dozens of police forces spent the night searching for him.

Police said Prather is believed to be the man who opened fire on three officers who were responding to an area of Route 1 in North Laurel around 4 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a call of a man with a gun. Officer Steven Houk, 30, a two year veteran of the force, was shot and seriously injured in the exchange of gunfire. Houk remains in the hospital after undergoing surgery Thursday. Police said  he is in serious condition, but stable.

Prather previously served time in Maryland after pleading guilty to two counts of assault for shooting at a family, including small children, in June of 2006 in Prince George's County.

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