St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a Lexington Park man Sunday night after he allegedly retrieved a handgun and threatened to shoot another man during an argument at a Royal Farms convenience store.
Brett Andrew Taylor, 26, of Lexington Park, was taken into custody without incident at his residence following a reported assault involving a handgun at the store on Tulagi Place.
According to the victim, Taylor entered the store to purchase items and became verbally aggressive during a conversation. The victim reported that Taylor then exited the store, retrieved a handgun, and made verbal threats to shoot him. The victim called 911, and Taylor fled the area.
Deputies identified Taylor through video surveillance and located him at his residence. He faces charges of first- and second-degree assault and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Taylor is being held at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown pending a bond hearing.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division have assumed the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective James Morgan at 301-475-4200, ext. 8170, or by email at James.Morgan@stmaryscountymd.gov.
The quick identification and arrest reflect ongoing efforts by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office to address threats to public safety in busy commercial corridors. Royal Farms locations across Southern Maryland serve as gathering points for workers from Pax River and surrounding neighborhoods, making rapid response to reported threats especially important for community confidence.
Tipsters can also submit anonymous tips to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office through tip411: • Text 847411 and start the message with “SMCSO” followed by a space and the tip. • Online at www.FirstSheriff.com/tips. • Through the SMCSO app (available on Google Play or Apple App Store). • By phone via the Crime Solvers line at 301-475-3333.
With Crime Solvers, tipsters never have to give their name and may be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to an arrest.
