Friends ‘Can’t Imagine’ Woodbine Shooting Victim As Violent

WOODBINE, MD — Gerardo Alberto Espinoza of Chantilly, Va., was staying at a friend’s Woodbine home over the weekend before he was fatally shot after trying to get into Charles Dorsey’s house. While the incident was classified as a would-be home intrusion, Espinoza’s friends and family are now saying he likely was intoxicated and confused, and ended up at the wrong house by accident.

Espinoza and his wife, Joanne, were staying at the home of Stephanie and Mike Sweeney, The Baltimore Sun reported. In a joint statement, the Sweeneys said, “We believe he thought he was at our home and was attempting to enter our house, where he had planned on spending the night.” When Espinoza found the door locked, they believe he thought they were playing a prank on him.

Joanne Espinoza called the incident a “horrible, horrible mistake” in an interview with WUSA-TV. “Gary is the best husband, father. Wonderful person. Not violent," she said.

The Sweeneys, along with friends Chris and Jennifer Ford, who also knew the Espinozas, are now questioning how police are handling the case. They claim police never made an effort to include them in the investigation.

“Why aren’t they questioning someone in close proximity?” Stephanie Sweeney said to The Sun. “The lack of questioning concerns us.”

Doorbell video from Dorsey’s Woodbine home revealed details about the deadly encounter, according to investigators. Police said the Espinoza was breaking into the home as he was shot. Investigators did say Espinoza may have thought he was at a different address, and he may have been drinking.

Around 1 a.m. July 21, Espinoza began banging on the front door of the Dorsey home in the 14000 block of Carriage Mill Road, where he shouted profanity and threats, according to investigators. Police said he was not wearing a shirt, and he did not have shoes on when he appeared at the door.

Doorbell video showed Espinoza fidgeting with the door handle until the door released and he was shot by Dorsey, police reported.

The Howard County Police Department is conferring with the Howard County State's Attorney's Office about the case. As of Monday, no charges had been filed, and the doorbell video was not publicly released.

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