March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 41 F

Murder-Suicide in Laurel under investigation

On Wednesday, August20th, 2014 at approximately 10:39 p.m., Anne Arundel County Police Officers were dispatched to the 3300 block of Sudlersville South, Laurel, Maryland for a shooting. Upon arrival officers located a deceased male in the roadway suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. In interviewing several witnesses on scene, officers determined the suspect fled on foot to the 300 block of Old Line Avenue, Laurel, Maryland.

As officers secured a perimeter, the male suspect barricaded himself in a shed located in the area on Old Line Ave. After several attempts to communicate with the suspect failed, members of the Special Operations Section gained entry into the shed and located the suspect with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The suspect was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Hospital with life threatening injuries and is currently under guard pending First Degree Murder Charges, Violation of Protective Order and other related charges.

Anne Arundel County Homicide detectives responded to the scene and assumed command of the investigation. The victim was identified as Howard Richard Popp Jr., 39, from the Painters Place Court area of Baltimore, Maryland. Through interviews and evidence at the scene, this homicide appears to be domestic related in nature and not a random act of violence. The suspect was identified as a 39 year old male from the 300 block of Old Line Avenue, Laurel, Maryland.

Investigation revealed that the suspect’s wife had separated from him in July 2014 and had obtained a Final Protective Order against him which was in effect until July 2015. The suspect had been trying to get back together with his wife but she was she was now dating Mr. Popp. On Wednesday, August 20, 2014, at approximately 10:39 p.m.as the estranged wife and the victim were seated in a vehicle in the 3300 block of Sudlersville South, when the suspect approached on foot. Mr. Popp and the wife exited the vehicle at which time the suspect produced a handgun and shot Mr. Popp multiple times. The suspect then threatened to harm himself as he fled the scene on foot before being located in the shed with the self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The suspect is still alive with life-threatening injuries. Once he is officially charged or if the suspect passes away, his name will be released.

This is still a very active and fluid investigation. As the investigation continues we urge anyone with information on this incident to contact Detective Dan Myers of the Homicide Unit at 410-222-3413 or Metro Crime Stoppers.

Source:AACoPD

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