'Don't judge our department based on one action' | Police chief addresses community after officer fires gun on Bowie highway

BOWIE, Md. — Some members of the Bowie community expressed concern weeks after a police officer fired his gun while trying to help a stranded motorist. No one was hurt in the shooting, but a passing car was struck by the gunfire on Sept. 12.

Chief Dwayne Preston addressed the community and answered questions before a regularly scheduled council meeting on Wednesday.

Many residents asked for more specifics about what exactly led to the shooting, and circumstances surrounding it. The chief said he was unable to answer those questions because the investigation is ongoing.

"I'm asking for the community's patience," Preston said. "The integrity of the investigation is the paramount thing."

The officer who fired his weapon was identified as Sgt. Robert Warrington, a 12-year veteran of the department. He is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an independent investigation.

Some neighbors told the chief that they were on the road where the shooting happened, and pressed him about what is being done to make sure everyone is safe.

"I'm from Bowie," one man told the chief. "I have five small children. I'm on that road. That bullet could have hit [my children] or myself. We want to trust the police department, we really do. You're who we call when we have issues. At the same time, you're asking us to trust you, but you gotta throw us a bone here."

Preston was quick to point out that the police department has been faithful to the community.

"Please don't define this police department by one action," Preston said. "I've been here going on 14 years. If you've been involved with this police department you know how much we serve this community. The way that this incident started is ... Sgt. Warrington stopped to serve. He stopped to help what he thought was a stranded motorist. That is what this police department does day in and day out. I want our community to understand that we are here to serve this community. Since the incident and before this, that is what we do." 

Preston again noted that Warrington's body-worn camera and his dashboard camera were on and recording during the incident. That footage has not yet been released.