Police Shootings Update: Accused Gunman Identified, Charged

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A Pasadena man is charged with killing a Glen Burnie man, and then wounding two Anne Arundel County Police detectives who tried to arrest the accused gunman. On Friday, the Anne Arundel County Police Department said 22-year-old Joseph Robert Mitchell Willis of Pasadena had been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Christopher Lawrence Jones, 44, of Glen Burnie. Willis is also charged with attempted first-degree murder in connection with the shootings of the detectives.

According to police, Willis had been staying with Jones. When officers investigating Jones' murder discovered that his vehicle was missing, they sought help from the fugitive apprehension team and Homeland Security and Intelligence to help locate it, shared Anne Arundel County Sgt. Jacklyn Davis during a Friday press conference. At 11 p.m. Thursday night, detectives spotted Jones' vehicle in Baltimore City on the eastern county line.

Detectives tried to stop the vehicle and that's when Detective Scott Ballard was shot by Willis who was in the vehicle. Ballard drove himself to a nearby convenience store to request assistance. Detective Ian Preece saw his partner get shot and continued the pursuit of Willis who took off to the Orchard Beach/Stoney Beach communities. Preece was shot by Willis who then fled on foot.

About 50 police officers with canines searched until Friday afternoon to find Willis. Schools were closed in the area as the manhunt unfolded. Both injured officers were originally listed in stable condition at the same area hospital. On Feb. 10, the Anne Arundel County Police Department announced that both detectives had been released from the hospital and are "home recovering with their families."

Officers were aware of two locations where Willis could be hiding: a home in the 1300 block of River Bank Court and the 7700 block of Middlegate Court in Pasadena. A SWAT team apprehended Willis at the Pasadena property and took him into custody without issue. During that time, a 21-year-old man and a 23-year-old man were found with CDS, including suspected heroin, fentanyl, LSD, cocaine and marijuana. A 42-year-old woman was found at the River Bank Court property and taken into custody after officers found a small marijuana growing operation and suspected heroin/fentanyl. The total value of controlled dangerous substances collected from both residences is valued at approximately $17,000.

Shawn Ethan Taylor, 21, was arrested and charged with CDS: possession with intent to distribute PCP/LSD/hallucinogen, CDS: posession of marijuana 10 gm+ and four counts of possession not marijuana.

Zachary Taylor, 23, was arrested and charged with CDS: possession with intent to distribute, CDS: possession with intent to distribute PCP/LSD/hallucinogen, CDS: possession of marijuana 10 gm+, four counts of CDS: possession of not marijuana and CDS: possession of paraphernalia.

Michelle Antoinette Fischer, 42, was arrested and charged with manufacturing CDS, CDS: possession of paraphernalia and three counts of CDS: possession of non-marijuana.

Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare spoke at the press conference and shared that both officers were seriously injured and remain in a considerable amount of pain Friday.

"We thought we were going to lose one of them for awhile," he said.

Authorities say people helped Willis hide fro searchers, so additional charges could be filed against the three people taken into custody on drug charges. Willis also faces charges in Baltimore City for the shooting of Ballard outside Royal Farms. The shooting of Preece occurred in Anne Arundel County.

"We have a person of interest in custody in reference to the shootings of our detectives," the department tweeted shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday. "We do not believe there is any further threat to our community. We THANK YOU for your support and patience! We will give further when we can, investigation still on-going."

All northeast cluster schools that were closed Thursday reopened at their regular time on Friday: Northeast High School, George Fox Middle School, High Point Elementary School, Riviera Beach Elementary School, Solley Elementary School and Sunset Elementary School.

County Executive Steuart Pittman said about 6 p.m. Thursday that both wounded detectives were out of surgery and "taking the first steps on the road to recovery. Their families are with them and making sure they have support. Let’s all continue to send positive thoughts their way!"

Ballard is a 22-year veteran assigned to the fugitive apprehension team and Preece is a 13-year veteran assigned to the homeland security investigations team.

"We have absolutely no tolerance for the violence committed against two Anne Arundel County Police detectives last night," Gov. Larry Hogan said. "These brave officers are now in stable condition, and all Marylanders are praying for their full and speedy recovery."

Police spokeswoman Davis said officers who went to a Brooklyn house about 5 p.m. to investigate a man who died from a gunshot wound were looking for the victim's vehicle. It was found in Baltimore City, police tried to stop the driver in the Fort Smallwood area and a detective was shot. Police chased the gunman to the Rivera Beach/Pasadena area, and the suspect fired multiple shots at police, striking a second detective.

Residents were asked to look out their windows for the suspect, who Davis described as a skinny white man, at least 6-feet tall with neck tattoos.

Police Chief Timothy Altomare at a Thursday morning press conference urged the suspect to turn himself in and "end this lunacy" before another person is hurt.

"Every minute you stretch this out it makes it more dangerous for my cops, and thus more dangerous for you. ... We will treat you with the respect due a human being. You will be safe and we will respect your rights."

The chief worried that more people will be hurt in the manhunt. He urged anyone who may know the gunman to help police; the suspect is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call the Anne Arundel Police Criminal Investigation Line at 410-222-3566.

Pittman asked residents to thank a police officer they see on the job today.

"I want these two officers and their families to know that the 570,000 residents of this county love them, are praying for them and are pulling for them," Pittman said. "Our hearts are with them. There exists on this planet no better team in any sport in any endeavor, than the Anne Arundel County Police Department."

Altomare urged residents to cooperate with police in the search and stay inside.

"Listen to the cops, cooperate with them, they closed the schools today for a reason ... the less people I have on the street in those communities this morning, until we wrap up what we're trying to do here, the better," Altomare said.

Overnight and throughout Thursday police checked every vehicle as it entered or left the community in the search for the gunman.

Acting Annapolis Mayor Rhonda Pindell Charles noted that the shooting has had an impact on all "brothers and sisters in blue."

"Please know that our prayers are with the two officers and their families as they work toward a full recovery from their injuries. We are also sending positive thoughts to the officers on the street who will carry on in their jobs while the dangers they face feel ever more immediate," she said.