What to Know
- A Howard County police officer shot and wounded a man who pointed a weapon at police during a standoff.
- James Schueler got out of his Jeep and pointed the gun at nearby officers. A police officer fired once, hitting him in the body.
- The friend told police Schueler was suicidal, had talked about threatening family members, and said he would commit suicide by cop.
A Howard County police officer shot and wounded a man who pointed a weapon at police during a standoff early Monday morning, according to the Howard County Police Department.
Investigators said the man, James Andrew Schueler, 42, of Columbia, Maryland, was stopped by police around 7:30 a.m. after they were called by a friend of Schueler’s. The friend told police Schueler was suicidal, had talked about threatening family members, and said he would commit suicide by cop.
Officers stopped Schueler at the corner of Hayshed Lane and Tamar Drive in Columbia, but Schueler refused to get out of the car, telling police he had a gun and was going to hurt himself. Police said Schueler held a gun to his head, and negotiators were called to the scene.
About 45 minutes later, investigators said Schueler got out of his Jeep and pointed the gun at nearby officers. A Howard County police officer fired once, striking Schueler in the body.
Police tactical medicals provided immediate aid. Schueler was transported by helicopter to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where is he is in serious but stable condition.
Investigators said the gun was a replica pellet gun, nearly identical to a semi-automatic pistol. The officer, who has not been identified, has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure after this type of incident.
