In Walmart Shooting, Ellicott City Man Charged

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – An Ellicott City man has been charged with attempted murder in the Oct. 8 shooting at the Walmart store on North Ridge Road.

De’Andre Edward Eason, 20, of the 3100 block of West Springs Drive in Ellicott City, has been charged with first-degree attempted murder, first and second-degree assault and handgun violations, officials reported on Friday, Oct. 13.

According to police, Eason was entering the store when he exchanged words and gestures with a man who was leaving. The man turned around to confront Eason, at which point the Ellicott City man allegedly pulled out a gun and shot him in the side of the face.

Officers were dispatched around midnight for a report of shots fired at the store in the 3200 block of North Ridge Road and found Matthew Allen Spencer, 23,of Baltimore, near the scene, police reported.

Spencer was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center for a gunshot wound to the face, for which authorities said he was treated and released.

Police said that Eason left the store through a side door. An area canvass for the suspect was unsuccessful.

Based on preliminary investigation, officials said that Spencer and Eason did not know one another, and the context of the words and gestures they exchanged are unknown.

Detectives do not think that the shooting is gang-related, according to Howard County Police Department spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn.

The mugshot of Eason is not being released for investigative reasons, police said on Friday upon announcing the arrest.

Th investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information may call Howard County police at 410-313-STOP or email HCPDcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov.

Patch file photo.