Man Charged with Attempted Murder of Caroline Co. Deputies during Welfare Check

PRESTON, Md. – The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has arrested a man on attempted murder charges after police say he shot at deputies while they were conducting a welfare check at his residence.

Deputies have arrested John Corey Schmidt on three counts of first degree attempted murder, three counts of second degree attempted murder, three counts of reckless endangerment, and related charges. He was subsequently arraigned and is being held at the Caroline County Detention Center without bond.

On Thursday, Apr. 16, deputies responded to a residence on Richardson Road in reference to a welfare check. While deputies were responding, dispatchers informed officers that Schmidt had made statements saying that he had a handgun and would shoot law enforcement if they came to his residence.

Upon arrival, deputies were shot at by Schmidt as they entered the driveway. While speaking with Schmidt’s father in the front yard, Schmidt fired additional rounds at the deputies from inside the home. He proceeded to break out of a front window and threw the handgun into the front yard. After numerous commands, Schmidt exited the residence and waws taken into custody without further incident.