Police Search for Suspect in Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294   240-773-5030
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 19, 2008	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Police Search for Suspect in
Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police 4th District Investigative Section are investigating a suspicious individual who was later found to be in possession of a stolen handgun.

On Wednesday, July 16 at approximately 1:00 a.m., a 4th District officer was on routine foot patrol in the 2300 block of Ladymeade Drive in the Longmead area of Silver Spring. As the officer tried to make contact with the individual, the man ran and the officer pursued on foot. The preliminary investigation revealed that the officer caught up with the suspect and a physical altercation ensued. The officer deployed Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C.) spray (a form of pepper spray) to try to subdue the suspect. During the struggle, the suspect displayed a handgun and pointed it at the officer. As the struggle continued, the officer’s firearm was discharged. The officer was not injured; it is not known if the suspect was struck.

The suspect ran, leaving behind the gun that had been in his possession. A wanted check was conducted on the weapon. It was learned that the gun was stolen in Washington County, Maryland.

The suspect is described as a black male, 19 to 25 years old, 5’9” to 6’1” tall, weighing 160 to 170 pounds. He wore his hair in dredlocks.

Following standard protocol, Officer Douglas Styles who has been with the department six years, has been placed on administrative leave while the discharge of his weapon is being investigated.

Anyone who has information about the suspect is asked to call the 4th District Investigative Section at 240-773-5530. The investigation is continuing.

2300 Block of Ladymeade Drive in Silver Spring