Armed Suspect in Standoff Wanted Officers to Kill Him: Police

A man barricaded himself in a Gaithersburg house, then reportedly tried to provoke police into shooting him during a standoff that ended peacefully Sunday night.

The incident began when a Germantown woman called 911 about 7:15 p.m. Dec. 21 to report that her husband, Jeffrey Allan Flaherty, had threatened to kill her and her family members. The caller said Flaherty had access to firearms and she was concerned for her welfare, as well as that of her family.

A few minutes later, Gaithersburg Police and Montgomery County 6th District officers arrived at 25 Maryland Avenue, where it was believed that Flaherty was staying. There was an encounter on a staircase between Flaherty, who was in the basement, and police, who were in the kitchen.

Montgomery County Police Officer Scott Feldman, a 24-year-veteran of the department, fired his weapon during the encounter. After the confrontation, Flaherty remained concealed in the basement and officers left the home, requesting that tactical and negotiation officers respond to the standoff.

Negotiators tried over several hours to make contact with Flaherty, who ultimately agreed to surrender to police. He was arrested about 10:47 p.m. Sunday, according to police.

There were no injuries to anyone involved.

Police say Flaherty admitted to pointing an object at police in an attempt to force officers to shoot him. During a search of the house, police reportedly found multiple firearms inside, including a handgun hidden in the basement ceiling.

Flaherty has been charged with four counts of first-degree assault. He is being held on a $250,000 bond, pending bond review Monday afternoon in Rockville.

Detectives from the Major Crimes Division, the Montgomery County 6thDistrict Investigative Section, and the Internal Affairs Division are conducting the investigations. Officer Feldman has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is protocol while the investigations continue, police say.