Water Sanitation Officer Shoots Man Who Entered His Home: Police

LAUREL, MD -- A Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission police officer shot a man who entered his home in Laurel over the weekend.

WSSC said in a statement the officer, who was off duty at the time, shot the man when he "illegally entered his private resident in Laurel" at 1 p.m. on Aug. 7.

"The suspect was shot in the arm, sustaining a non-life threatening injury and has been apprehended; criminal charges are pending," the statement notes. "The details of the incident are preliminary and are being confirmed by Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD)."

The WSSC officer, who is a 20-year veteran for the University of Maryland Baltimore and has been with WSSC for one year, was not injured.

A statement from the Prince George's County Police Department identified the man as 31-year-old David Bartholmew of Laurel.

"The preliminary investigation reveals the homeowner was alerted by a loud noise from the downstairs portion of his residence," the statement reads. "At that time, the homeowner retrieved his duty weapon and found the suspect in his residence. He identified himself as a police officer. The suspect then advanced toward the homeowner with a knife in his hand. The homeowner, fearing for his safety, shot the suspect one time. A knife was recovered from the scene. The suspect fled from the residence and was arrested a short distance away by responding officers."

Bartholmew remains hospitalized and is receiving treatment for his injuries. He has been charged with home invasion, attempted first degree assault, malicious destruction of property and a weapons charge.

Image via WSSC