Photo: Rian JohnsonCAMBRIDGE, Md.— The U.S. Marshal's Service in Montgomery County arrested a man Thursday on a warrant charging him with trying to kill a police officer in Cambridge earlier that morning.
Officials said a uniformed Cambridge police officer was in the 600 block of Cross Street awaiting the arrival of a tow truck following a DWI arrest around 2:35 a.m. when he opened his car door to get into his vehicle. The officer said he heard someone running at him from close behind and saw a man, later identified as 24-year-old Rian D. Johnson, within feet of him, extending his arm towards the officer as if holding a handgun.
Authorities said the officer used his forearm to deflect Johnson's arm upward over the officer's head. According to officials, the suspect then fired two shots next to the officer's head with a handgun and fled after a brief struggle.
Police said Johnson tripped and fell in a pile of lumber and rubbish while running away and is believed to have sustained, at the least, scrapes and bruises from the fall. Authorities said no weapon or casings were recovered.
The officer was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital. Officials said this incident appeared to be an attempt to ambush the officer at close range.
Cambridge Police obtained a District Court Arrest Warrant charging Johnson with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, handgun on person, and use of firearm in commission of a felony. Johnson was arrested around 7:30 a.m. Thursday and is being held in the Montgomery County Detention Center without bond.
