SALISBURY, Md.- A man charged with murder in connection with late Sunday night's deadly shooting of a Wicomico County sheriff's deputy in Pittsville was a convicted armed robber who "should not have out on the streets," Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis said at a Monday press conference.
Wicomico County Deputy First Class Glenn Hilliard and another deputy went to the Talbot Apartments complex on Gumboro Road in Pittsville shortly before 8:30 p.m. Sunday to arrest 20-year-old Austin J. Davidson, of Delmar, Md., but initially they did not see anyone who matched the description and they left, Lewis said. When Hilliard returned to the complex parking lot about 10 minutes later, he spotted a man leaving a stairwell who matched Davidson's description “to a T,” down to the description of the backpack he was carrying with caution tape on it, according to Lewis.
When Hilliard drove closer, the man ran off and the deputy chased him around the back of the complex, Lewis said. Hilliard gained on him quickly, announced that he would use a Taser stun gun and deployed it, but it was not effective, Lewis said.
As Davidson approached the woods, he turned and fired multiple shots from a semiautomatic handgun, striking Hilliard at least once, Lewis said. The shooting was captured on Hilliard's body-worn camera, he said. The deputy did not get a chance to pull his gun out of the holster, Lewis said.
Hilliard was taken by ambulance to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, where he was pronounced dead, Maryland State Police said in a news release.
More than 20 law enforcement agencies were involved in a search for Davidson and about two hours later, he walked out of the woods and surrendered, Lewis said. The handgun used in the shooting was recovered nearby, according to the sheriff.
Davidson. who was wanted for four outstanding arrest warrants, was charged Monday with first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and other offenses in Hilliard's death, state police said. He was being held without bond in the Wicomico County Detention Center and waived an attorney at his initial appearance, according to online court records.
During Monday's press conference, in which Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan also attended, Lewis decried the fact that Davidson had even been out on the streets in the first place. Lewis said that Davidson was convicted in 2019 of armed robbery with a handgun after he robbed a McDonald's in Baltimore of $1,036. For that crime, Davidson received no jail time. Instead, he received probation before judgment, which left Davidson a free man.
"Someone like this should not have been out on the streets," Lewis said. "It's unacceptable" this guy didn't serve any jail time for armed robbery."
"This is not a gun issue; it's a behavior issue," Lewis said. "When asked why he did the armed robbery, what was [Davidson's] response? 'Because I can.' He's wreaked hell all over the Lower Eastern Shore. That's why we had multiple warrants."
Hogan who expressed his condolences to Hilliard's family and the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, said, "Glenn Hilliard died doing what he loved. This is just a horrendous crime, tragedy. It happens far too often. These are men and women who every single day put their lives on the line. We owe them a tremendous amount of gratitude."
Hogan also echoed Lewis' concerns about the need for truth in sentencing, agreeing with Lewis about the laxity of Baltimore City judges when it comes to the treatment of violent criminals.
Lewis wrapped up the press conference reflecting on Hilliard's legacy. Lewis described Hilliard as an incredible detective who was skilled with electronics - fixing people's cellphones and mastering the sheriff's office's drones - but he was also a “jokester,” who was a beloved member of the sheriff's office family. He said Hilliard was good-looking, “dressed better probably than most people in this office” and always had a smile on his face.
Hilliard's wife and three children, including a 12-year-old son who looks just like his father, are grieving their loss, Lewis said.
“It's a pain that's inescapable,” he said.
Prior to the news conference, Hogan met with the deputy's family and said Hilliard's wife wanted to make sure people knew Hilliard “died doing what he loved.”
“The days ahead will be challenging, but for now, we are mourning the loss of an incredible human being," the sheriff's office news release said. “Deputy Glenn Hilliard was a son, a husband and a father to three beautiful children, a brother to those he worked with, and an exemplary public servant to the citizens of Wicomico County and to the State of Maryland. Our hearts and prayers go out to Glenn’s family during this difficult time."
Hilliard was an 18-year law enforcement veteran, who served as a police officer with the Crisfield and Berlin police departments before going to the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office.
Hilliard, who would have turned 42 on Wednesday of next week, is the first Wicomico County sheriff's deputy to die in the line of duty since 1968, when two deputies were killed in the line of the duty.
The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit will be leading the investigation into Hilliard's shooting with assistance from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.
A candlelight vigil honoring Hilliard will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Hobbs Road in Salisbury. Attendees are invited to bring a flashlight/candle or cellphone flashlight. Additional details here.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.