On April 4 at 7:47 a.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to the 11000 block of Mattingly Road in La Plata for the report of an assault.

Investigation revealed the victim – the landlord of the dwelling- was at the address trying to collect rent money when the tenant started arguing with the victim. During the argument, which was outside in the driveway, the tenant’s 16-year-old son retrieved a shotgun, approached the victim, and fired a shot into the air. As the suspect was re-loading the gun, the victim fled to a neighbor’s and called police.

Officers located the suspect and placed him under arrest charging him with first-degree assault, second-degree assault and reckless endangerment.