The Howard police chief disputes a teenager?s allegation that an officer fired two shots at him and his friend, saying only one shot was fired accidentally.
“That investigation indicates one round was fired … and we only found one shell casing, so we?re pretty confident,” Chief William McMahon said.
Police said two undercover narcotics officers were conducting surveillance on a house about 5:20 p.m. April 7 in the 8300 block of Pleasant Chase Road, when two teenage boys from Jessup approached a car and appeared to engage in a drug transaction.
McMahon said one officer was getting out of the car with his gun drawn when he lost his balance and accidentally discharged his .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol.
“He brought his hands up to catch himself and at some point in that process, his finger hit that trigger,” McMahon said.
Police said they believe a single bullet grazed the arm of Garcia Wilson, 15, before striking Dwain Usery, 14, in the abdomen.
Internal Affairs is investigating the incident, and the officer has been placed on administrative duty, McMahon said.
No charges have been filed against the teenagers, though police said drugs were found at the scene.
McMahon said his primary concern is the teenagers? well-being and charges filed against juveniles would not be released to the public.
He said he met with community residents Monday to address their concerns.
“To hear that a gun was drawn at kids, who we had no reason to believe were involved, is cause for concern,” said the Rev. Khalfani Drummer, a neighborhood resident who hosted the meeting at the community center.
Drummer said police gave residents little information. McMahon said he planned to hold another meeting after the investigation.
