Annapolis Man Sought in Severn Man's Murder: Police

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Authorities on Tuesday said they are searching for an Annapolis man wanted for the murder of George Forrester, 40, of Severn. The fatal shooting happened just after 3 a.m. on Jan. 16 in the 700 block of Newtowne Drive. Forrester was found in the area suffering from apparent gunshot wounds; he was taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.

Lawrence Montague, 27, of Annapolis is wanted for Forrester's murder, Annapolis Police say. Help from the community led to Montague being identified as the suspect in the homicide. Montague will be 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.

“The Annapolis Police Department is relentlessly pursuing those who place so little value on human life,” said Police Chief Michael Pristoop in a statement. “The community partners with us in this pursuit and we applaud their intolerance of people bringing drugs and violence into their neighborhoods.”

Annapolis Mayor Michael Pantelides said the additional resources assigned to the police department are working. "Our plan to combat crime is helping to identify these criminals and will eventually lead to a conviction," Pantelides said. "That alone will become a deterrent, making these corrupt individuals move out of our neighborhoods."

Anyone with information about Montague’s whereabouts is asked to contact Detective John Murphy at 410-260-3439 or jhmurphy@annapolis.gov. You can also call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP and submit an anonymous tip. If your tip leads to an arrest or indictment you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Annapolis authorities are also investigating a fatal shooting that happened Monday night 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