Food Express Assailant Charged With Attempted Murder: Police

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A woman working at a Gaithersburg grocery store was reportedly attacked by a regular customer armed with a knife. Montgomery County Police say the woman was dragged by the assailant who threatened to kill her when he was interrupted by the arrival of a customer.

The armed attack happened about 9:46 a.m. Saturday at the Food Express grocery store, 16254 S. Frederick Ave. Detectives have charged James Lamont Odum, 45, of Nancy Place in Gaithersburg, with attempted murder and attempted kidnapping after he allegedly assaulted a woman who works at the store.

The victim told police officers that a regular customer, later identified as Odum, entered the store, purchased food, and then left the store. A short time later Odum re-entered the store and grabbed the victim from behind, placed a knife to her side, said he was going to kill her and attempted to drag her out of the store.

During the struggle Odum allegedly grabbed the woman by the neck, began to strangle her, and then dragged her to the rear of the store, police say. At that point Odum threw her to the ground and told the woman he was going to kill her. The victim told officers that Odum was about to stab her when a customer entered the store, which caused Odum to stop the assault and flee from the store with the knife.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services personnel took the woman to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Later on Saturday afternoon, officers located and arrested Odum at his residence. He was taken to the Central Processing Unit, where he was charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder, attempted kidnapping, first-degree assault, and second-degree assault. Detectives anticipate more charges will be filed against Odum after consulting with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Odum is currently being held without bond. He will have a bond review at 1 p.m. Monday in Rockville District Court.

»Photo of suspect James Lamont Odum of Gaithersburg, courtesy of Montgomery County Police