Officer Investigated For Firing Shot Near Burglary Suspect

SEVERNA PARK, MD – An Anne Arundel County police officer drew his weapon and fired a shot into the ground after a suspect reached into his vehicle, prompting the officer to respond. Officers were at Shipley’s Crossing clubhouse at 522 Donner Way in Severna Park after receiving an emergency call about a male breaking into the clubhouse.

The first officer to arrive on the scene found the suspect one street away from the clubhouse. After he was discovered, the suspect returned to the clubhouse where he had left his vehicle and smashed out a window. The suspect refused to listen to the officer’s commands to stop and get down on the ground. When he reached into the vehicle, the officer fired his weapon at the ground without incident. The suspect, 21-year-old Alexander Stutz of Linthicum, was taken into custody charged with trespassing and possession of marijuana.

The Anne Arundel County Police Training Academy Firearms Unit investigated to ensure that the weapon did not fire due to a mechanical failure and determined that it did not. The officer is an eight-year veteran of the department and a corporal assigned to the bureau of patrol. The incident is being investigated by the department.