After Screwdriver Attack, Dad Charged With Attempted Murder: Cops

NOTTINGHAM, MD — A man is being held without bail after officials accused him of trying to kill his 11-year-old son with a screwdriver. Police said the man stabbed the child, assaulted three neighbors and attacked the first arriving officer. Three people were hospitalized as the result of the incident, which occurred Tuesday morning in Nottingham, according to the Baltimore County Police Department.

Reginald Eugene Cooper, 40, of the 4200 block of Maple Path Circle, is charged with multiple offenses, including attempted murder, child abuse and assault.

Police said Cooper was "behaving bizarrely" before 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. He stopped a neighbor outside and told her to go check on his son. When she did, officials said the father came back, threatened to kill his son and stabbed him with a screwdriver.

According to investigators, Cooper assaulted the neighbor when she tried to get help and another neighborhood as she tried to provide first aid to his bleeding son. Cooper is accused of attacking a third neighbor after demanding the man let him into his home.

When a police officer arrived, witnesses pointed him to Cooper, who did not obey commands and assaulted the policeman, according to authorities.

Cooper was arrested and charged with the following offenses:

• Attempted first and second-degree murder
• First-degree assault
• Five counts of second-degree assault (including one on a police officer)
• First and second-degree child abuse
• Use of a dangerous weapon with intent to injure

As a precaution because of his behavior, police said Cooper was taken to an area hospital, where he was treated and released, after he was taken into custody.

The officer was taken to an area hospital, where he was treated and released as well, officials reported.

As of Thursday, police said the child remained hospitalized in stable condition.

Cooper was being held without bail and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 31.

Related:

• 11-Year-Old Injured In Domestic Assault In Nottingham: Police
• Police Chief Issues Domestic Violence PSA During Pandemic

This article has been corrected to reflect the incident occurred Tuesday, May 12.