Man In Custody After Firing Gunshots At Police, Injuring Neighbor In Harford County

Harford County sheriff's deputies say a man who fired more than 200 shots at law enforcement Tuesday night has been taken into custody.

Deputies were called around 7 p.m. to a home in the 4500 block of Oak Ridge Drive in Street. Deputies were told a resident had shot and killed a dog at his home during a domestic dispute.

When police arrived, the man opened fire before going back inside the residence. Police said one neighbor, 59-year-old Robert Schell, was struck twice in the lower body while taking his trash out. He was extracted by deputies and taken to York Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Video from Harford County where Sheriff’s deputies were turning drivers around during a shelter in place order. They are only saying that there was police activity on Oak Ridge. One suspect in custody. @wbaltv11 pic.twitter.com/Gz6PSgcy41 — Kai Reed (@KaiWBAL) January 22, 2020

Deputies established a perimeter and called in crisis negotiators. Units from Baltimore County, Maryland State Police, Aberdeen Proving Ground, National Resources Police, Havre de Grace and Aberdeen assisted in the response.

The suspect, later identified as 43-year-old Benjamin Murdy, continued to fire on law enforcement, deputies said, firing nearly 200 rounds from a rifle and handgun and striking a sheriff's office patrol car in the process. No law enforcement officers were hurt.

"Once again as sheriff, I'm in a position where I gotta say I am beyond impressed with the bravery and professionalism of the deputies assigned to this office," Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler said.

No rounds were fired by responding deputies or police officers, Gahler said. While the situation would have called for lethal force, nobody was able to get a clear, safe shot at Murdy.

Around 8:30, Murdy called 911 and said he wanted to surrender. Murdy is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, aggravated animal cruelty and related charges. He remains held without bail at the Harford County Detention Center.

Though Murdy has no criminal record, Gahler said he was known to law enforcement. Both of Murdy's guns were legally owned. They had been taken away from him under Maryland's "red flag" law, but were returned. Gahler said alcohol may have been a factor in the dispute and subsequent barricade.

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WBAL-TV 11 contributed to this report.