Annapolis Fugitive In Custody for Severn Man's Murder

ANNAPOLIS, MD — An Annapolis fugitive wanted for the murder of George Forrester, 40, of Severn, was arrested on Monday, Jan. 23, by local and federal authorities. Lawrence Montague, 27, of Annapolis, is charged with first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, use of a firearm in a felony or violent crime and handgun on person.

Forrester was found just after 3 a.m. on Jan. 16 in the 700 block of Newtowne Drive suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.

Annapolis Police, with the help of the United States Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, located and arrested Montague without incident. “The Annapolis Police Department has been working this case energetically from the very beginning, and our investigators deserve a ton of credit,” said Annapolis Police Chief Michael Pristoop in a statement.

Help from community residents initially helped police identify Montague as the gunman, officials said.

Annapolis Mayor Michael Pantelides said the additional resources assigned to the police department are working. “I applaud the Annapolis Police Department’s swift arrest of Montague,” Pantelides said. “Getting these criminals off the streets and in jail is one more example of how our resources are working to combat crime in Annapolis.”

Montague is awaiting his initial hearing before the District Court Commissioner.

Annapolis authorities are also investigating a fatal shooting that happened Jan. 23 in the 1200 block of Madison Street in the Harbour House community, according to police. Officers found the victim shortly before 8:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of Madison Street and he was taken to an area hospital, where he died from his injuries.

No information has yet been released on the victim's identity or the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
The Annapolis area has seen a spate of shootings in recent months. On Jan. 16, authorities charged Calum Jeramiah Thomas, 19, from the 10th block of Washington Drive in Annapolis, with the Jan. 2 fatal shooting of Terry Paul Crouse, 55, from the 1800 block of Kimberwicke Place in Annapolis.

Investigators say Crouse's shooting was not a random act of violence, but police have not disclosed what the motive might be for the shooting.

Anne Arundel County Police have already recorded two homicides this year, the first of which was Crouse's death. The other victim was Nathan Antoine Ford, 24, from the 2200 block of Conquest Way in Odenton, who died from gunshot wounds after he was shot Jan. 13.

»Photo of homicide suspect Lawrence Montague of Annapolis, courtesy of Annapolis Police