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Deputy Slashed by Homeless Shelter Resident
LEXINGTON PARK --- St. Mary’s Sheriff's Deputies responded to the Three Oaks Lexington Park Shelter for men for a reported suicidal suspect. Upon arrival deputies were advised that the suspect had left the area, armed with a knife and threatening to- kill a police officer or force them to kill him. Deputies saturated the area in an attempt to find the suspect and they did in a wooded area.
The suspect began to utilize a box cutter to inflict injury to himself. Officers attempted to have the suspect comply with verbal commands to stop and he continued his actions, according to Sgt. Daniel Alioto.
Commands by the deputies were given in regards to the K-9 presence and the suspect advised them he was not going to disarm.
At that point, Sgt. Alioto reports that Dfc. Todd L. Fleenor dispatched his K-9 partner and the suspect actively fought the K-9, however the K-9 was able to disarm him.
As officers moved in to take custody of the suspect, the suspect continued to resist and caused injury to Dfc. Fleenor's hand.
Other less lethal means were used and the suspect was eventually placed into custody.
Both the undisclosed suspect and Dfc. Fleenor were
transported for treatment. The suspect was treated for the minor injuries received while
being taken into custody for mental evaluation as well as the self inflicted injuries.
The man was not identified, according to Cpl. Deborah Milam, due to not having had
criminal charges placed against him but he has been committed involuntarily to the St.
Mary’s hospital security ward for mental evaluation.
