Westminster Man Charged With Assault After Attempting To Shoot His Roommate
WESTMINSTER, Md. (WJZ)-- The Carroll County Sheriff's Office has arrested and charged a 53-year-old man in connection with the attempted shooting of his roommate after a verbal dispute.
Douglas Lee Barnes was charged with first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and using a firearm to commit a felony or crime.
The victim called 911 at 5:10 p.m. on Thursday reporting gun shots being fired at his home in the 1900-block of Frizzellburg Road. He told deputies he was on the second floor of the home and was not able to leave because his roommate was threatening him and firing a handgun. Deputies at the scene talked to Barnes and Barnes voluntarily left the home and was arrested at the scene.
The victim later told deputies that he and Barnes got into an argument and went to a second floor bedroom of the house to defuse the situation while Barnes stayed on the ground level living area. Barnes continued to threaten his roommate and fired a gun several times. Several rounds passed through the bedroom floor and hit the mattress in the bedroom where the victim was, but he was not struck.
A search and seizure warrant uncovered several firearms at the residence, including the handgun used in the incident.
Barnes is being held at the Carroll County Detention Center pending a bail review.
The Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the incident. Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Corporal Bustos at (410)386-2900.
