LAUREL, Md. — A shot rang out at an apartment complex on Bryan Court just after 6am on Wednesday morning, and you can still see the blood trail where the injured officer retreated from the building in Laurel.
“Our officers were here serving an arrest and search warrant when our Emergency Response Team announced their presence,” said Laura Guenin of the Laurel Police Department. “The suspect inside the residence did shoot a round at the officers and it did strike one of our officers.”
After the suspect shot the officer, police did not return fire and were still able to take him into custody without incident.
Police have now identified the alleged shooter as 23-year-old Christopher Grayson Simms of Laurel.
Simms was charged with Attempted 1st Degree Murder, Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, 1st Degree Assault, 2nd Degree Assault, intentionally causing physical injury to a law enforcement officer, reckless endangerment, and handgun on their person.
He was previously charged with Attempted 1st and 2nd Degree Murder, Assault and firearms related charges for a shooting that took place on April 11, 2022, in Laurel.
“In most of these cases, the police are the ones who were shooting first,” said Ainsworth Henry who lives in the complex. “I have no problem getting a criminal off the street, because at the end of the day, I don’t want to deal with them.”
Police gathering evidence after the shooting seized a rifle from the apartment, but they say the suspect used a handgun to fire on the officer.
An officer, who they now say was struck by a bullet in the arm and who has already been treated and released from a local hospital.
This is an ongoing investigation, and we encourage anyone with any information, or who may have witnessed any of these events, to please contact The Laurel Police Department at 301-498-0092, also anonymous tips can also be sent to LPDtips@laurel.md.us.
