On Sunday, December 21 at approximately 7:15 pm, the Montgomery County 9-1-1 center received a call from a Germantown woman stating that her husband, Jeffrey Allan Flaherty, had threatened to kill her and her family members. She stated that he had access to firearms and was concerned for her welfare as well as that of her family.
At approximately 7:26 p.m., Gaithersburg Police and 6th District officers were dispatched to 25 Maryland Avenue where it was believed that Flaherty was staying. A Gaithersburg officer arrived at that address at 7:27 p.m. Additional officers arrived, and after making contact with the occupants, entered the home. Shortly thereafter, there was an encounter between Flaherty, who was in the basement, and police, who were in the kitchen, at the staircase that connects the basement and the kitchen. One Montgomery County 6th District officer discharged his service weapon during the encounter.
After this event, Flaherty remained concealed in the basement and officers left the home, requesting that the Emergency Response Team (ERT), comprised of tactical and negotiation officers, respond to assist at the residence.
During the next few hours, negotiators attempted to make contact with Flaherty, who ultimately agreed to surrender to police and exited the residence where he was placed in custody at approximately 10:47 p.m. This event was peacefully resolved without injury to anyone involved.
Jeffery Allan Flaherty has been charged with 4 counts of 1st Degree Assault. During his interview, he admitted to pointing an object at the police during the encounter in the home in an attempt to force officers to shoot him. During the officers’ execution of a search warrant, multiple firearms were recovered from the home, including a handgun hidden in the basement ceiling. Flaherty is being held on a $250,000 bond, pending bond in District Court in Rockville.
The facts and circumstances surrounding this event, including the firearm discharge, remain under investigation. Detectives from the Major Crimes Division, the 6th District Investigative Section, and the Internal Affairs Division are conducting the investigations. The 6th District officer who discharged his weapon is being identified as Officer Scott Feldman, a 24-year-veteran of the department. He has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is protocol while the investigations continue.
Jeffery Allan Flaherty has been charged with 4 counts of 1st Degree Assault. During his interview, he admitted to pointing an object at the police during the encounter in the home in an attempt to force officers to shoot him. During the officers’ execution of a search warrant, multiple firearms were recovered from the home, including a handgun hidden in the basement ceiling. Flaherty is being held on a $250,000 bond, pending bond in District Court in Rockville
