UPDATE Feb. 28, 2024: A tragic turn of events unfolded in Leonardtown as Malic Quinn Freeland, 23, lost his life on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, following complications from a gunshot wound that led to a car accident. Authorities pronounced Mr. Freeland dead at a shock trauma center where he had been receiving treatment since the accident on Monday, February 26, 2024.
The incident, initially perceived as a typical vehicular accident, took a grim twist when preliminary investigations revealed the cause: Mr. Freeland had been shot before the crash. This critical detail has significantly shifted the trajectory of the case, prompting the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office to treat the investigation as a homicide.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division are actively piecing together the circumstances surrounding Mr. Freeland’s untimely death. The revelation of the gunshot wound as the precursor to the accident has raised numerous questions about the events leading up to the fatal crash. To uncover the truth, the victim’s body will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is calling on the public to provide any information that might shed light on this harrowing incident. Detective First Class Benjamin Raley leads the investigation and urges anyone with insights into the case to reach out. Contact information for Detective Raley includes phone number 301-475-4200, ext. 8076, or email at Benjamin.Raley@stmaryscountymd.gov.
LEXINGTON PARK, MD — In a perplexing incident on the night of February 26, 2024, law enforcement and emergency personnel were summoned to a chaotic scene where a vehicle had crashed into a fence and a shed near Valley Drive and Fox Ridge Road in Lexington Park, Maryland. The event, which unfolded around 9 p.m., took an unexpected turn when first responders discovered the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, had sustained a gunshot wound.
Upon their arrival, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were met with the sight of the wrecked vehicle, immediately recognizing the seriousness of the situation. The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, received prompt medical attention at the scene before being transported to a Shock Trauma Center for specialized care. The nature of the injuries, beyond the gunshot wound, and the condition of the victim remain under wraps as authorities continue their investigation.
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office quickly mobilized its Criminal Investigations Division, with detectives and Crime Lab Technicians arriving on the scene to delve into the intricacies of the case. The investigation aims to piece together the events leading up to the crash and shooting to understand the circumstances that resulted in this violent outcome.
As the community grapples with the shock of such an incident, law enforcement officials contact the public for assistance. Detective First Class Benjamin Raley, leading the investigation, has called for witnesses or anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Authorities hope that public cooperation will shed light on the incident, aiding in the resolution of the case and potentially leading to the apprehension of those responsible for the violence.
Detective Raley can be contacted at 301-475-4200, extension 8076, or via email at Benjamin.Raley@stmaryscountymd.gov. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes the importance of community involvement in solving this case, urging anyone with seemingly insignificant information to reach out. The collaborative effort between law enforcement and the public is crucial in piecing together the events of that night, ensuring justice for the victim, and safeguarding the community from future violence.