Waldorf, MD — Charles County Sheriff’s Office investigators are conducting a homicide probe following the fatal shooting of a 38-year-old Waldorf man by his 29-year-old sister during a physical altercation early Sunday morning. The incident occurred in the 3400 block of Williamsburg Drive and marks the latest violent death under investigation in Southern Maryland.
Deputies responded at 3:30 a.m. on January 11, 2026, to a report of a shooting at the residence. Preliminary findings indicate that a dispute between the siblings escalated into a physical confrontation. During the altercation, the female suspect shot the male victim. Officers and medical personnel provided aid at the scene, but the man was pronounced deceased. Authorities identified the victim as Jerome Christian Edward Benoit, 38, of Waldorf.
The female suspect, who is the victim’s sister, has not been named in the release, and no charges or arrest status were disclosed pending further review. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office described the case as ongoing, with detectives continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses. Once completed, the investigation will be presented to a Charles County Grand Jury for potential indictment.
Detective Smith is leading the inquiry and is seeking additional information from the public. Anyone with knowledge of the incident is asked to contact him at 301-609-6479. The sheriff’s office did not release further details about the nature of the dispute, the weapon used or the circumstances leading to the shooting.
Williamsburg Drive is a residential street in a developed subdivision in northern Waldorf, part of Charles County’s growing population center near major commuter routes. Domestic-related homicides, including those involving family members, remain a persistent concern in Southern Maryland, where law enforcement agencies routinely investigate such incidents amid broader efforts to address violent crime trends.
No additional information about Benoit’s background, the suspect’s condition or potential self-defense claims was provided in the sheriff’s office release. The investigation continues under standard protocols for intrafamily fatal shootings.