Anne Arundel County Police officers arrested a 14-year-old boy on charges of first-degree assault and reckless endangerment after he allegedly shot an adult male in the face with a paintball gun in Annapolis on March 21, 2026.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:10 p.m. in the 600 block of Admiral Drive. Southern District officers responded to reports of suspects shooting paintball guns in the area. Upon arrival, they spoke with the adult male victim, who reported being shot in the face by an unknown suspect.
Officers located the 14-year-old suspect in the area of Admiral Drive and Jennifer Road. He was holding the paintball gun and acting in a disorderly manner. The suspect was taken into custody and positively identified by the victim. He faces first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and other appropriate charges.
The Anne Arundel County Police Department released details of the arrest on March 23, 2026, as part of its regular Southern District incident reporting. Case number 26-708721. No injuries beyond the reported facial shot were detailed in the release. The investigation remains active with standard juvenile procedures applying due to the suspect’s age.
Admiral Drive is a residential area in Annapolis near major roads including Jennifer Road and Route 2. The neighborhood has seen occasional reports of youth-related incidents, though paintball-related assaults are uncommon. Anne Arundel County Police routinely patrol the Southern District, which covers Annapolis and surrounding communities, to address quality-of-life and public safety concerns.
Paintball guns can cause serious injury when fired at close range, particularly to the face and eyes. Police remind residents that reckless use of any projectile device may result in criminal charges including assault and reckless endangerment. First-degree assault in Maryland is a serious felony that can carry significant penalties.
This case highlights ongoing efforts by the Anne Arundel County Police Department to respond quickly to reports of disorderly conduct and potential weapons misuse in residential neighborhoods. Southern District officers emphasize community cooperation in reporting suspicious activity to prevent escalation.
The department encourages anyone with information about the incident to contact Southern District detectives. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the Anne Arundel County Police tip line or Crime Solvers program.
Residents in Annapolis and surrounding Southern Maryland communities continue to see proactive policing focused on youth behavior and neighborhood safety. The quick response and arrest in this case demonstrate the department’s commitment to addressing incidents that affect public safety.
No court appearance details were released in the initial police statement. Juvenile cases in Maryland are typically handled through the Department of Juvenile Services with confidentiality protections.