Police Officer Killed In Md.

Video

Scene: Police Search Apartment Complex

A resident reacts to word of a murdered police officer Friday as police conducted a door-to-door search of the Laurel Pines Apartment complex several blocks from where the incident occurred.

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"It never ended up being needed, unfortunately," said Mark Brady, a spokesman for the county's Fire and Emergency Services Department.

As Findley was placed in the ambulance, a 911 caller reported seeing two men, one bloodied on his back and side, at the Laurel Square Apartments a few blocks away. The caller said the men were trying to flag down a car and had entered the apartment building at 13609 Avebury Dr.

Police cordoned off the entire complex, and dozens of heavily armed officers swept into the area.

"They were running around and drawing guns. All of a sudden, I felt swarmed with policemen," said Dianne Shields, 46, speaking by phone from inside the police barricade. "They won't let me leave. I tried four times. They told us to go in the house."

Walter Calderon, who lives two buildings away, had run out to Taco Bell, leaving his two sons, ages 8 and 9, at home watching television. By the time he returned, officers had sealed off entrances and exits, ordering residents in and near 13609 Avebury Dr. outside and behind police lines, while residents farther from that building were told to lock their doors.

In the past three weeks, Calderon said, there was a hostage situation and a slaying in the area. "I'm ready to move out," he said.

Resident Norman Gary, 33, who was ordered to remain in his apartment, said he stared out the window for three hours watching the manhunt unfold. After noon, he said he saw a sobbing female officer walking down Avebury Drive.

Four people found in the complex were detained for questioning, said Maj. Daniel Dusseau, head of the department's criminal investigations division. He described all four as persons of interest and said one had been arrested on unrelated charges. None of the four was identified, and he did not say whether anyone was injured.

Residents in most of the complex were allowed to return to their apartments shortly after 3 p.m. as police concentrated their efforts on 13609 Avebury. It was not until about 7:45 p.m. that officers escorted residents into that building.

Officers remained later into the night, and resident Shelly Jefferson said one police officer told her that investigators were waiting for search warrants.

The pickup was recovered, Taylor said.

During the afternoon, according to a police radio report, an officer searching an apartment said he found a black bag with an assault rifle and four pounds of marijuana. Officials would not say whether the contraband was related to the arrest.

Staff writers Lori Aratani and Hamil R. Harris and researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.