A Fort Washington woman is facing assault and weapons charges after Charles County deputies say a dispute over a long checkout line escalated into a punch, a handgun and a brief manhunt at a Smallwood Village Center store.
According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, officers responded to the store around 6 p.m. Sept. 2 for a reported assault involving a firearm. Investigators say 38-year-old Tiffany Deshaunta Booze grew frustrated while waiting in line and became confrontational with an employee. A second employee opened another register so Booze could complete her purchase, but before leaving, she punched the first employee in the face, sparking a brief physical altercation.
Booze left the store, but moments later was seen walking back toward the business, where she displayed a handgun with a blue and black frame before fleeing the area ahead of police arrival, according to the sheriff’s office. In her haste, she left behind her wallet and cell phone on the counter, which officers used to positively identify her. Booze returned to the area a short time later and was taken into custody.
Deputies found her vehicle in the parking lot and spotted a matching blue and black handgun inside. They obtained a search warrant and recovered the weapon.
Booze was charged with first-degree assault, five counts of weapons violations and other related charges. She was released from the Charles County Detention Center on electronic monitoring the following day, Sept. 3.
