Denton man charged with attempted second-degree murder

DENTON – Following a Feb. 6 shooting incident near Denton, Alfred G. Harris, 68, faces six charges, including attempted second-degree murder and first- and second-degree assault.

Harris and 71-year-old Thomas Gallagher of Denton were injured in the incident that occurred at Harris’s home at 28025 Ruritan Road, Denton.

Deputies from the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported shooting shortly before 12:30 a.m. The deputies discovered Gallagher, who had sustained injuries to his back and head from a gunshot, as well as Harris, who revealed a compound fracture of his left ankle.

Both men were taken to Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital in Dover with non-life-threatening injuries.

Upon his release from the hospital, Harris was taken into custody by the Dover Police Department and remanded to Sussex Correctional Institution, pending extradition to the state of Maryland. On Feb. 17, Harris was extradited to Caroline County.

Following an investigation, the Criminal Investigation Division of the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office sought criminal charges against Harris through the Caroline County District Court Commissioner.

Harris was arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, possession of a shotgun following a conviction for a disqualifying crime, reckless endangerment and intoxicated endangerment.

Harris was transferred to the Caroline County Detention Center without bond, pending a review by a judge.

“The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office received essential support from the Dover Police Department, Maryland State Polic, and the Caroline County Department of Emergency Services throughout the matter,” stated a Feb. 18 press from the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office.

“As with all legal proceedings, it is important to remember that all subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court of law,” the release stated.