Prisoner Charged with Attempted Murder in Struggle With Police Officer at St. Joseph

A 30-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder in an apparent escape attempt in which a police offer was grazed by a bullet at St. Joseph Medical Center.

Brian Dargan, of no fixed address, was at the Towson hospital Wednesday afternoon as a prisoner accused of burglary. He is now facing charges of attempted first-degree murder and attempted second-degree escape.

Dargan was transported to St. Joseph's emergency room for medical treatment, according to a Baltimore County Police Department statement. At around 2:30 p.m., a hospital staff member allegedly observed a needle in Dargan's clothing during an examination in which he was handcuffed to a gurney railing and guarded by an officer.

Police said Dargan grabbed the hospital employee's arm when she attempted to take the needle. The woman reportedly was able to get away, and said she saw Dargan put something in his hair, which was styled in dreadlocks.

A struggle between the officer and Dargan ensued when the prisoner reached for the officer's gun, according to the statement. The weapon fired once and then jammed.

Although Dargan was still handcuffed, police said he pulled at the handcuffs in an attempt to escape. Additional officers responded and were able to subdue the prisoner.

The officer guarding Dargan had also used pepper spray during the struggle, police said.

According to the statement, a forensic examination revealed that the bullet traveled through the officer's pants, grazing her right leg. She did not require medical treatment.

Dargan is being held on $25,000 bail for the original burglary charges, police said. A warrant with the new charges will be served upon his release from medical treatment.