BALTIMORE, MD – A local man is facing charges related to the fatal shooting of a Howard County deputy that occurred last Friday. The Baltimore Police Department has confirmed that Jewel Crowder, 40, was apprehended on the same day and is now facing first-degree murder charges. The charges stem from the alleged shooting and killing of Deputy Ryan Alexander Demby, aged 23.
According to the Howard County Sheriff’s Office, the incident took place at a Baltimore bar in the early hours of Friday morning. A verbal altercation among patrons escalated, leading to shots being fired. Deputy Demby was struck during the dispute. Eric Costello, a city councilman, released a statement indicating that the incident began inside the bar and spilled out onto the street.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers found Demby suffering from multiple gunshot wounds that were deemed life-threatening. The deputy was rushed to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Crowder was apprehended without any resistance.
Acting Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley revealed on Saturday that the entire incident was captured on camera. This footage, along with witness testimonies, allowed the police to swiftly identify Crowder as a suspect.
Howard County Sheriff Marcus Harris, during a press conference, described Demby as an “outstanding young man” who had followed in his father’s footsteps into law enforcement. Demby’s father is a sergeant with the department. A social media post by the Howard County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Demby had only recently graduated from the police academy in March.
Deputy Demby is Baltimore’s 208th homicide victim in 2023. The city has seen a total of 498 people shot and injured this year.