Crime & Safety

Crofton Man Identified as Potential Mass Shooter

Sources told news outlets a cache of weapons was found in the home of suspect facing termination from his job in Prince George's County.

Police in Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties took a man into custody Thursday in connection with a mass shooting plot. The man reportedly made threats against his employer and police found a cache of weapons at his home.

Maj. Ed Bergen of the Anne Arundel County Police Department confirmed during a press conference Friday that the man was taken into custody Thursday at a residence on Parkridge Circle in Crofton, where the Keswick Park Apartments are located.

Police have not released the man's name, nor has he been charged with anything as of Friday afternoon. Police issued a court order for a mental evaluation of the man and a search warrant for his address.

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"The individual surrendered to us," said Bergen.

The man was transported to a hospital for evaluation.

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The news channel reports that the man was facing termination from his job at Pitney Bowes in Prince George's County and that weapons were found in his home when he was taken into custody.

WJLA reported that authorities found an "arsenal" of weapons and that the man had made threats toward his employer.

Some 25 firearms were recovered from his home, reported WUSA9News Now reporter Andrea McCarren. The firearms reportedly included semi-automatic rifles and handguns as well as ammunition.

WUSA reported the suspect called a former co-worker with threats to shoot his boss and workers. The co-worker reportedly called police.

The arrest comes one week after a gunman killed 12 people and injured 58 during a screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, CO. Police arrested the sole suspect, 24-year-old James Eagan Holmes, in the parking lot of the theater.

A press conference is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at Prince George's County police headquarters. Anne Arundel County police had no comment on the reports but did confirm spokesman Justin Mulcahy will be at the press conference with Prince George's County police.

Updated at 12:15 p.m. to include reported details on weapons. Stay with Patch for updates.


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