Primary suspect in Ocean City homicide charged

Members of the Ocean City Police Department say they have charged Darren Beattie, 21, of Sparrows Point, Md., in the homicide investigation surrounding the death of Ryan Shupert, 31.

Police say the incident happened around 2:30 AM on May 29 on the intersection of 136th and Coastal Highway. Investigators say officers were called the scene for a report of an assault, and Shupert was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with life-threatening injuries.

According to police, Shupert succumbed to his injuries and passed away on May 31. His body was then transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, who ruled the death to be a homicide.

Investigators say they gathered numerous leads provided by the public, and the main suspect was identified as Beattie.

OCPD say once they gathered the information, they traveled to Sparrow Point and Dundalk, and with the assistance of the Baltimore County Police Department Homicide and Intelligence Units, detectives located and interviewed Beattie, as well as other parties involved.

On Tuesday, detectives say they issued an arrest warrant for Beattie charging him with manslaughter and second-degree Assault.

According to police, Beattie turned himself in to police at the Ocean City Public Safety Building Tuesday afternoon.

Police say he was transported to the Worcester County Jail on $125,000.00 bond. Police tell 47 ABC he has since posted bond.

OCPD add that the State’s Attorney for Worcester County Beau Oglesby, commented, “This type of senseless, preventable and tragic situation should serve as a reminder to everyone who finds public fights anywhere in Worcester County acceptable – they’re not. Not only are they unacceptable but people can lose their lives and others can lose their freedom.” He went on to further thank “Detectives James Rodriguez and Brett Case of the Ocean City Police Department for their swift, thorough and professional investigation.”

Anyone with potential additional information about this incident is asked to call 410-723-6602 or submit a tip at oceancitymd.gov/police.