SUSPECT IN CUSTODY AFTER ST. MARY’S CO. ATTEMPTED MURDER-SUICIDE

(LEONARDTOWN, MD) – A woman is being treated at a trauma center and her boyfriend is under guard by state troopers while he is hospitalized after an apparent attempted murder-suicide last night in St. Mary’s County.

James M. Young, 32, of the 22000-block of Washington St., Leonardtown, Md., is being guarded by troopers at the Medstar St. Mary’s Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. Charges against him are pending.

The victim is identified as Lashawn M. Hurley, 34, of the same address. She is being treated for an apparent stab wound at the Prince George’s Hospital Center.

Shortly after 8:30 p.m. yesterday, Maryland State Police at the Leonardtown Barrack received a 911 call for a reported stabbing at an apartment in the 22000-block of Washington St., Leonardtown, Md. When troopers arrived, they were met by Young and Hurley, who were coming down the stairs to the apartment. Hurley was in obvious pain and told troopers Young had stabbed her and the knife was still in her back. Troopers saw what appeared to be the blade portion of a knife protruding from the victim’s back. Young told troopers he had ingested an unknown amount of pills in an apparent suicide attempt.

St. Mary’s County emergency medical services personnel responded to the scene. Two ambulances transported Hurley and Young to Medstar St. Mary’s Hospital. Hurley was later transferred to the Prince George’s Hospital Center.

Criminal investigators from the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division Central South Region and the Homicide Unit responded to the scene to continue the investigation. State Police Forensic Sciences Division crime scene technicians arrived to conduct evidence collection and scene processing.

A search warrant was obtained for the apartment. Investigators recovered items believed to be evidence, which will be forwarded to the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division laboratory for examination.

The preliminary investigation indicates Hurley and Young have lived together at the apartment for about four years. A motive for last night’s attempted murder-suicide has not been determined at this time. Hospital personnel have told investigators both Hurley and Young are expected to survive.

Investigators consulted with St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney Richard Fritz throughout the investigation. Advice was provided regarding criminal charges against Young. State Police investigators will be applying for those criminal charges today.

The investigation is continuing.