CONTACT: Diane Richardson
Media Relations Office
240-682-1658

On July 31 at 11:15 p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Riverwatch Drive in Indian Head for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a 12-year-old boy with a gunshot wound. Family members and responding officers began CPR and continued until paramedics arrived; however, the child was pronounced deceased. A preliminary investigation showed the victim and a 13-year-old relative were in a downstairs bedroom playing with a handgun when the gun discharged striking the victim. At this time, it is not exactly clear how the shooting occurred. Additional details relating to the gun and how the youths obtained it are being investigated, among other aspects of the case. “This is such a tragic situation and a very sad reminder that it is critically important for gun owners to ensure their firearms are always secured and out of reach of children. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families,” said Sheriff Troy Berry. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be presented to the State’s Attorney’s Office for review. Detective J. Feldman is investigating.

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service law enforcement agency comprised of more than 600 police, corrections and civilian personnel responsible for protecting more than 150,000 residents. The CCSO was accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in 2001 has been designated as a CALEA Gold Standard of Excellence agency since 2011. Established in 1658, the CCSO is one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the United States. For more information, visit www.ccso.us.

Charles County Crime Solvers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest or indictment of a person responsible for a crime in Charles County. All individuals who provide tips through Crime Solvers will remain anonymous. Anyone with information about an unsolved crime or the location of a fugitive may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app, which can be found in the Android Store and Apple store by searching P3tips. For more information about the P3 program, click on this link: www.p3intel.com.

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