BELTSVILLE, MD – A Prince George’s County man unleashed a hail of gunfire on U.S. Secret Service security guards at a facility within the National Agricultural Research Center late Wednesday night, authorities say. Jeremiah Peter Watson, 22, of Hyattsville, Maryland, now faces federal charges after the brazen attack.
According to court documents, Watson arrived at the gated facility in a heavily damaged dark sedan while engaged in a phone conversation on speaker. He immediately began an aggressive confrontation with a security guard, escalating despite repeated verbal commands to stop. When pepper spray failed to deter him, Watson retreated to his vehicle – then turned and opened fire with a handgun.
The security guards, including a Secret Service Officer who had arrived on scene, scrambled for cover inside a guard house protected by bulletproof glass. Watson made a U-turn and continued firing through the passenger window of his car before fleeing. Investigators recovered three .9mm shell casings at the scene. The U.S. Park Police were called in to assist.
Law enforcement quickly identified Watson as the registered owner of the vehicle and a victim positively identified him in a photo as the shooter. A search of Watson’s residence and vehicle turned up a .9mm handgun loaded with four rounds – three in the magazine and one in the chamber. Three additional .9mm shell casings, believed to match those found at the scene, were recovered from the trunk of the vehicle. A cellular phone with a distinctive green case, matching the one used during the initial confrontation, was also seized.
Jeremiah Peter Watson is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, a crime carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner and Acting Chief of Police Gregory T. Monahan of the U.S. Park Police announced the charges. Actual sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge.
Watson is currently detained and is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt on Monday, March 1, 2021. Prosecutors emphasize that a criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt and that Watson is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, aimed at reducing violent crime.
Related Federal Cases
- John Wharton Sentenced to Prison for Social Security Embezzlement, … · Maryland
- Vivek Ramaswamy, Politician Snubs VP Slot, Washington DC, 2024 · Maryland
- Vivek Ramaswamy Declines VP Offer, Politicizing Private Sector, US,… · Maryland
- US Officials Charged with Obstruction of Justice, Washington DC, 2023 · Maryland
- Marcus Bell Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl, Baltimo… · Maryland
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
