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Master Deputy James Flynt, a five-year veteran of the sheriff's office, is in recovery days after being shot by Greenbelt resident Brandon Alexander Turner, 21, who is now facing multiple attempted murder charges, according to authorities.
“We are ecstatic to be able to say his condition has improved and currently he can be described as stable,” Calvert County Sheriff-Elect Ricky Cox said on Monday, Dec. 19. “He has been alert and able to communicate. He will undergo more surgery today and remain in ICU for what looks like an extended period.
“While he still has a long road to recovery, his prognosis has greatly improved in the last 24 hours.”
The incident began at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, when sheriff's deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of Yellow Bank Road in Dunkirk, during which the suspect - later identified as Turner - sped away southbound on Route 4.
During the subsequent police pursuit, it is alleged that Turner began firing gunshots at deputies, striking one patrol vehicle. Turner proceeded to the Walnut Creek subdivision in Huntingtown, where deputies were able to end the chase after utilizing a “pit maneuver” to stop him.
Turner then took off on foot, firing additional shots, at least one of which struck Flynt. Turner then proceeded to run to a nearby development, where he was ultimately apprehended after suffering a gunshot wound of his own.
He was transported to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. A passenger in the vehicle was also taken into custody.
“It is this seamless teamwork between the police, dispatchers, and medical personnel on the scene that allowed for getting the proper resources,” Cox said. "But more importantly, those actions allowed for Deputy Flynt to get to CalvertHealth in the most efficient manner possible.
“Once there, they did amazing work to get him stabilized and on a flight to Medstar. These actions greatly contributed to saving his life.”
Two other officers, Deputy T. Bowen and Deputy A. Aranda, also discharged their weapons during the incident. Both have been placed on administrative leave “per agency policy.”
“In accordance with Maryland State Law, The Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division (IID) was contacted, but based on a lack of qualifying factors, declined to handle the investigation,” officials noted. ”The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate.”
Turner was charged with:
- Attempted first-degree murder;
- First-degree assault;
- Attempted second-degree murder;
- Second-degree assault of a law enforcement officer.
“The deputy that was injured literally put his life on the line,” Cox added. "He did not go to work yesterday knowing his life would be changed forever. But, as he has done every day of his career, he suited up knowing it was a possibility.”
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