Waldorf man holds girlfriend captive, shoots self in confrontation

Charles County Sheriff’s officers received a call last weekend to check on the welfare of a woman, whose family was concerned for her safety.

The woman’s family, who reside out of state, reported on Aug. 18 that she was in a physically abusive relationship with her boyfriend, Howard Theodore Coleman Jr., 42, of Waldorf, and had not been heard from for several days, a release from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office said.

Patrol officers responded on Sunday to a residence in the 9300 block of Brechin Place in Waldorf, attempting to contact the woman; however, their efforts to reach her were unsuccessful. After learning additional details, detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division were notified and took over the investigation, the release said.

A search warrant was obtained for the residence, and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office’s Emergency Services Team was deployed to serve it. Upon arrival, Coleman allegedly refused to cooperate, according to the release.

Officers used a drone and made entry into the house. Hostage negotiators contacted Coleman, who was agitated and refused to cooperate, and learned the woman had allegedly been stabbed several times and had severe lacerations, according to police.

Coleman was known to have firearms and other weapons and he had a previous history of violent criminal activity, the release said.

Understanding the critical nature of the situation, numerous facets of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office mobilized to ensure the woman’s safe rescue. The release said hostage negotiators played a pivotal role, attempting to de-escalate the situation, while members of the Emergency Services Team developed a safe plan to enter the house.

While Coleman was on the phone with negotiators, members of the Emergency Services Team made their way into the house and were able to rescue the woman and get her outside to Waldorf emergency medical personnel, who were standing by.

Almost simultaneously, the suspect shot himself; he was pronounced deceased on the scene and a gun was by his side, the release said.

Members of the sheriff’s office Forensic Science Services processed the scene, recovering one rifle, a handgun, bulletproof vests and large-capacity magazines. The woman was flown to a hospital with critical injuries including multiple stab wounds to the head and upper body and a possible broken jaw.

“This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the importance of swift, coordinated action by law enforcement,” Sheriff Troy Berry (D) said in the release. “The officers and medical responders played a crucial role in ensuring the successful rescue of the victim and immediate medical care. We are committed to supporting her through her recovery.”

Detective Worley is investigating the case.