CENTREVILLE, Md. - Police say an inmate was killed Wednesday night after he escaped from prison and broke into a Centreville home.
Police say the deceased suspect is identified as Michael J. Schluderberg, 25, who had been serving a three-year sentence at Eastern Pre-Release Unit in Church Hill for assault. Authorities say Schluderberg was determined missing during an inmate count 6 p.m. Wednesday. At about the same time, deputies from the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of breaking, entering and theft on Carville Place Road. Someone stole a gun and knife from the home.
Officers say the man fitting a description was seen on southbound Rt. 301. Officers say the suspect repeatedly ignored verbal commands, and fired rounds from a handgun at officers. Police returned fire as the suspect ran off through a field.
The suspect ended up on a farm, where an officer says he tried to convince the suspect to surrender. According to preliminary investigation, the man said he would not return to the jail and they would have to kill him. The suspect then reached into his waistband, at which time a police officer shot his gun, hit the suspect and the inmate was pronounced dead at the scene.
The knife was recovered on the first farm; the gun was found in the bean field. Investigators say they also found a suicide note near the suspect's body.
No police officers were injured in this incident. During the investigation, Rt. 201 was closed for the early morning hours as traffic was diverted.
