BOWIE, MD — A former Bowie police officer has been convicted of attempted second-degree murder for firing his gun at a man who had parked on the side of Collington Road in 2024.
Sgt. Robert Warrington, 37, a 12-year-veteran of the force, was captured on video shooting at a man after he had stopped behind what he thought was a stranded driver parked alongside Collington Road in Bowie on Sept. 12, 2024, around 8 a.m.
While walking up to the vehicle, the police officer discharged his firearm, hitting a vehicle that was passing by, the police department stated.
During the investigation, it was learned that video released by the police department shows Warrington pulling up behind a car with its hazard lights on. As he opened his door, a man can be seen walking next to the patrol car and continuing toward the passenger side of the car that was in the shoulder with its lights flashing.
“Are you here to help her?” Warrington can be heard asking the man, who responded, “Nah, she’s taking me to the hospital,” apparently referencing the woman inside the stranded vehicle.
About three seconds after the exchange, the officer can be seen pulling out his service weapon and firing in the man’s direction. The man fell to the ground as the woman in the car got out and repeatedly shouted, “What did you do?”
Warrington can be heard saying “he had a gun” and the man responded from the ground, “I don’t have a gun.” Shortly after that, Warrington can be heard repeating “I’m sorry,” several times. The man was not shot, instead, prosecutors said a bullet from the officer’s gun hit a passing car.
The man has stated previously that he was trying to chase down his hat that had blown away while his girlfriend and children sat in the vehicle.
Warrington was convicted Wednesday of felony attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office. The police department said it is required to fire police officers who are convicted of felonies.
After the judge rendered a verdict, the state’s attorney was advised of information related to the case that had not been disclosed to Warrington’s defense counsel before trial. The state’s attorney immediately notified Warrington’s defense counsel, and on Thursday, the appropriate notice of disclosure was filed with the Circuit Court. Warrington's defense counsel will have the opportunity to respond.
Warrington is scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 11. He faces up to 35 years in prison.
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