Harford man fires about 200 rounds at deputies responding to animal cruelty report
Deputies with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged a man from Street, Maryland, after he ambushed and fired multiple gunshot rounds upon deputies responding to a call for service at his residence.
On January 21 at approximately 7:00 p.m., Harford deputies responded to the 4500 block of Oak Ridge Drive in Street for the report of animal cruelty. Deputies were informed a resident in that block had shot and killed a dog at his residence during a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, patrol deputies approaching the residence were immediately fired upon.
“Upon our arrival, our deputies, pretty much as soon as they got out of the car and began to approach, were immediately fired upon,” Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said. WBAL-TV reported investigators as saying that Murdy began shooting a rifle and handgun.
A neighbor, Robert Schell, 59, who was outside his home at the time bringing his trash to the curb, was fired upon and was struck twice in the lower body. After being rescued by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team, he was transported by medics with the Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company to York Hospital in Pennsylvania for treatment and was released a short time later.
While under fire, deputies locked down the neighborhood and established a perimeter while maintaining cover. Units assigned to the Special Response Team arrived on scene and utilizing the Harford County Sheriff’s Office armored Tactical Rescue Vehicle (TRV), safely rescued the wounded Mr. Schell, and extracted patrol deputies on the perimeter. Members of the Crisis Negotiation Team also arrived on scene and immediately began attempts to make contact with the individual in the residence who was firing on deputies.
Additionally, deputies were assisted by units from the Baltimore County Police Department, Maryland State Police, Aberdeen Proving Ground Police, Natural Resources Police, Havre de Grace Police and Aberdeen Police.
The individual continued to fire on deputies, firing nearly 200 rounds from a rifle and handgun, striking a Harford County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle multiple times.
At approximately 8:30 p.m., the suspect, identified as Benjamin Murdy, 43, contacted the Harford County 911 Communications and Dispatch Center and advised he wanted to surrender. After speaking with members of the Crisis Negotiation Team, he exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident.
Murdy is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, aggravated animal cruelty and other related charges. Additional charges are possible, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Murdy is currently being held at the Harford County Detention Center without bail, according to CBS News in Baltimore.
No deputies were injured as a result of the shootings; and no deputies discharged their weapons. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with any information about this crime is asked to call the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 410-836-5436. Those who wish to remain anonymous may report their information through the methods listed below. If the information you provide leads to the arrest and indictment of the individuals responsible for this crime, you may be eligible for a cash reward up to $2,000.
- Submit a tip online at http://www.harfordsheriff.org/wanted
- Text message: Metro Crime Stoppers: Text “CRIMES” (274637)
- Begin the message “MCS,” then add the information.
- Phone: Harford Crime Solvers: Call 1-888-540-8477
(Source: Harford County Sheriff’s Office)
Posted by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
