Woman Nailed Man Who Broke Into Home with One Shot
BRYANS ROAD --- The Charles County Sheriff's Office
announces the investigation into the shooting death of Clayton Maurice Smith has concluded
and the Charles County State's Attorney's Office has determined charges will not be filed.
On April 6 at 3:54 a.m., Charles County Sheriff's Officers responded to a residence in the
6900 block of Heather Drive in Bryans Road for the report of a shooting. Investigation
revealed Smith, 43, of Bryans Road forced entry into the residence of his former
girlfriend by throwing a cinder block through a front window. He began assaulting the
woman's boyfriend, a 54-year-old Washington, D.C., man by striking him with a metal
steering wheel locking device, which Smith had tied to his hand. The woman asked Smith to
stop and, when Smith did not comply, she retrieved a handgun, which she lawfully owns, and
fired one shot, striking Smith. Further investigation revealed Smith cut the telephone
lines to the residence prior to forcing entry.
Forensic evidence collected at the scene is consistent with the statements made by the two
victims. Police received information from members of the community, which has also been
investigated. Telephone records show a pattern of phone calls by Smith consistent with
harassing the woman and her family members.
Because no charges were filed and the woman and the man are victims of burglary and
assault, respectively, the Charles County Sheriff's Office is not releasing their names.