On the morning of September 12, 2024, Bowie City Police Sergeant Robert Warrington encountered a situation that has since led to his indictment on multiple charges, including attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and misconduct in office. The incident unfolded around 8 a.m. on Collington Road near Route 50 in Bowie, Maryland. Warrington, a 12-year veteran of the department, had stopped to check on what he believed was a stranded white SUV parked on the roadside.

As Warrington approached the SUV, a man crossed the road median and walked toward him. When Warrington asked the man if he was there to help with the SUV, the man reportedly responded, “No, she’s taking me to the hospital,” indicating that he was a passenger in the vehicle and in need of medical assistance. The man then moved toward the passenger side of Warrington’s police vehicle, a detail captured in both the officer’s bodycam and the dashcam video.

In an unexpected turn, Warrington discharged his firearm, firing a single shot at the man. Warrington is heard on video repeatedly saying, “You got a gun, you got a gun,” after firing, though the man immediately responded, “No,” denying he was armed. The incident escalated further as a woman present at the scene – presumed to be the driver of the SUV – confronted Warrington, asking, “What did you do? Why did you do that?” Warrington could be heard apologizing in response, saying, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” The woman explained that the man was simply retrieving his hat, which had fallen near the side of the road, attempting to clarify his actions to Warrington.

Following the shooting, State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy publicly emphasized the gravity of the charges, stating that the man had been neither under arrest nor suspected of a crime and had cooperated fully with the investigation. The video footage was later released by Bowie Police Chief Dwayne A. Preston, in coordination with the State’s Attorney’s Office, and used as key evidence to support the indictment.

The aftermath saw Warrington suspended without pay, pending further legal proceedings, while community and media discussions have centered around the release of the footage and its implications.