Howard County Police identify suspect in Wal-Mart shooting in Ellicott City Saturday.
Approximately 12 a.m., police responded to the 3200 block of North Ridge Road to investigate an altercation inside the Wal-Mart. At the scene, police discovered a 23-year-old man who had been shot in the side of his face. Medics dispatched to the scene transported the man to Shock Trauma, where he was treated and later released.
Police have identified the 23-year-old man as Matthew Allen Spencer of Baltimore.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Spencer had gotten into an altercation with a man who had brandished a gun and shot him during the altercation. The suspect was identified as 20-year-old DeAndre Edward Eason of West Springs Drive in Ellicott City.
Police said the two men did not know each other, before the incident. Officers arrested Eason and charged him with first-degree attempted murders, assault and handgun violations.