Anne Arundel police seek teen reported with gun in Cape St. Claire

Anne Arundel County police detectives are investigating if an officer’s vehicle was shot Monday morning after a teenager was reportedly in the woods with a handgun.

Around 9 a.m., a woman called police after she was walking in the woods and saw a 14 to 15-year-old white boy with dark hair and camo jacket with what looked like a handgun in his hand, said Lt. Jacklyn Davis, a spokesperson for county police. The woman asked the boy what he was doing and he said “Just shooting small critters.”

Detectives can not confirm if the boy had an actual gun or airsoft gun until they find him and the weapon, Davis said.

One of the officers on the perimeter of that area, heard a pop and his back windshield shattered, Davis said. Officers do not know if the shot was on purpose or accidental and the officer in the car didn’t see the suspect. No projectile has been found in the car and the county police haven’t determined if the car was shot or not, Davis said.

Detectives have a strong lead of who the suspect is and believe there is no public safety threat in the area, Davis said.

“Detectives believe they know where he is and he is no threat,” Davis said.

She said dozens of officers were deployed to the area and asked residents in the area be mindful of first responders. Department of Natural Resources and Maryland State Police also responded to the scene.

The suspect is at large and no injuries have been reported.

Davis said the shots were in the area of Hilltop Road and Blue Ridge Drive. Police ask that people shelter in place and avoid the area.

Cape St. Claire Elementary and Broadneck High School sheltered in place for a few hours and that was lifted around 12:30 p.m., according to Anne Arundel Public Schools officials.

As of 4 p.m., police were still in the area sorting through the area.