Andre Xavier Howe of Huntingtown received a 22-year prison sentence from Calvert County Circuit Court Judge Mark S. Chandlee on December 16, 2025. The judge also ordered five years of supervised probation upon release, with Howe required to serve half his sentence before parole eligibility.
Howe, convicted of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and use of a firearm in a felony, fired multiple shots into a townhouse in Prince Frederick’s 1600 block of Mint Court on July 14, 2024. The gunfire injured two residents who were not the intended target, while the person Howe sought to confront in an adjacent unit remained unharmed. Both victims received treatment at trauma centers.
Authorities arrested Howe, then 17, shortly after the incident following an investigation by Calvert County Sheriff’s Office deputies that involved evidence collection and witness interviews. Although a juvenile at the time, Howe faced charges as an adult under Maryland law, which allows prosecution in adult court for serious violent offenses committed by those aged 16 or older, including certain firearm-related crimes and assaults.
On August 11, 2025, Howe entered an Alford plea before Judge Chandlee, acknowledging sufficient evidence for conviction on the counts without admitting guilt. This resolved the case without a full trial. Assistant State’s Attorney Allison S. Walton prosecuted the matter.
State’s Attorney Robert Harvey emphasized the need for authority to charge certain juveniles as adults in violent cases. “It’s important that the State have the legal authority to charge certain juveniles as adults when they commit violent crimes,” Harvey said. “The juvenile justice system does not have adequate secure facilities or appropriate programs to deal with these individuals. Mr. Howe has been authorized to serve his sentence at Patuxent Institution, which is a maximum security adult facility in Jessup that has a program tailored for youthful violent offenders.”
Patuxent Institution, a treatment-oriented facility under the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, offers specialized programs for youthful offenders, focusing on remediation through education, vocational training, and behavioral therapy. Established in part to address young adults convicted of serious crimes, its Youth Program targets individuals adjudicated as adults, providing structured services aimed at reducing recidivism while maintaining security.
Maryland law excludes juvenile court jurisdiction for specific serious offenses when committed by older teens. For crimes like first-degree assault or firearm use in felonies, cases involving those 16 and up start in adult court, though reverse waiver to juvenile system remains possible in some instances. Factors considered include offense severity and prior record. This framework reflects efforts to balance accountability with public safety in handling violent youth crimes.
The original charges against Howe included multiple counts of attempted murder and firearm possession, some dropped as part of the plea resolution. Sheriff Ricky Cox, commenting after the initial arrest, highlighted investigative efforts. “We are committed to thoroughly investigating any acts of violence in our community and bringing those responsible to justice,” Cox said. “The arrest of Andre Howe is a testament to our detectives’ hard work and dedication.”
