Shady Side Fire Death Identified As Suicide Victim

SHADY SIDE, MD — Authorities on Monday released the name of the man who died Thursday morning in a house fire in Shady Side. The victim was identified as William Maurice Minor Jr., 69, of the 1500 block of Lincoln Drive, according to the Anne Arundel County Fire Department.

The chief medical examiner's office has ruled that the cause of death was a gunshot wound. Members of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department Arson and Explosives Investigation Unit, with assistance from Anne Arundel County Police homicide detectives, have determined that the cause is suicide. Investigators say the fire was intentionally set, although the final determination will be made after once a laboratory analysis of samples obtained at the scene is completed.

WBAL reports Anne Arundel County Fire Department crews were called about 10:45 a.m. Thursday to the home. Firefighters found a small single-family home fully engulfed in flames. Crews from the Annapolis and Calvert County fire departments were also called to help fight the fire, reports Eye On Annapolis.

Minor was found dead at the scene.

Photos courtesy of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department