A Calvert County judge found an 18-year-old Huntingtown resident guilty of attempted second-degree murder and related charges stemming from a Prince Frederick shooting that injured two people last year.
Andre Xavier Howe entered an Alford plea on August 11, 2025, before Circuit Court Judge Mark S. Chandlee, acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him without admitting guilt. The plea covered one count of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and use of a firearm in a felony. Sentencing is set for November 14, 2025, with Howe facing up to 100 years in prison, including a mandatory five years without parole. He remains detained at the Calvert County Detention Center.
The Prince Frederick shooting occurred on July 14, 2024, when Howe armed himself with a handgun and drove to a townhouse community in Prince Frederick to confront another individual over an unspecified dispute. Instead, he fired shots into the wrong townhouse on the 1600 block of Mint Court, wounding two occupants who were not his intended target. The victims were transported to nearby trauma centers for treatment, though their specific conditions were not publicly detailed at the time. The intended victim, residing in a different unit, escaped unharmed.
Calvert County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded promptly to reports of gunfire, initiating an investigation that included collecting physical evidence and interviewing witnesses. This led to Howe’s identification and arrest shortly after the incident. Initially charged as a juvenile but tried as an adult, Howe faced an array of accusations, including two counts of attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, and firearms offenses such as possession of a handgun by someone under 21 and possession of a stolen firearm. The case highlights procedural steps in Maryland’s criminal justice system, where juveniles charged with serious violent crimes can be waived to adult court based on factors like the offense’s severity and the defendant’s age.
An Alford plea, as established in the 1970 U.S. Supreme Court case North Carolina v. Alford, allows a defendant to accept a sentence without admitting to the crime, provided there is strong evidence of guilt and competent legal advice. This differs from a traditional guilty plea, which requires an explicit admission, and is permitted in most states, including Maryland, to facilitate plea bargains while preserving a claim of innocence. In Howe’s situation, the plea resolved the case without a full trial, avoiding potential risks for both sides.
Assistant State’s Attorney Allison S. Walton prosecuted the matter. Walton, who joined the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office in 2017 after serving as a judicial assistant, specializes in felony trials and has handled cases in circuit court. She earned recognition in 2023 with the Respect for Law Award from the Calvert County Optimist Club for her contributions to the county’s drug court program, which focuses on rehabilitation for nonviolent offenders.
Judge Chandlee, presiding over the case, has served on the Calvert County Circuit Court since his appointment in 2013 by then-Governor Martin O’Malley. He became the county’s administrative judge in 2019, overseeing court operations in the 7th Judicial Circuit. A graduate of Frostburg State College with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1984 and the University of Baltimore School of Law with a juris doctor, Chandlee brings experience from prior roles in legal practice and administration to such proceedings.
The Prince Frederick shooting drew attention amid broader efforts to address firearm-related incidents in Calvert County. According to Maryland Department of Health data, the state recorded 671 firearm deaths in 2024, with about 55 percent classified as homicides and 44 percent as suicides. Calvert County, however, maintained one of the lowest overall crime rates in Maryland that year, reporting 1,634 incidents per 100,000 residents per the state’s National Incident-Based Reporting System dashboard. This figure placed it below the statewide average, with only two homicides documented countywide in 2024. Local law enforcement, including the sheriff’s office, emphasizes community partnerships and anonymous tip lines to prevent violence, as noted in initial reports on the Prince Frederick shooting.
Sheriff Ricky Cox commented in the aftermath that the arrest demonstrated the office’s commitment to curbing community threats, praising detectives for their thorough work. The investigation remained open for potential additional leads, with contacts provided for tips via phone, email, or a mobile app.
