James Walter Gross Jr.
Prince Frederick, MD – A Calvert County man charged with a drive-by shooting in Lusby, which was reported during the early morning hours of Feb. 10, was indicted this month in Circuit Court. The defendant, James Walter Gross Jr., 27 of St. Leonard, was indicted on eight counts, including two felony charges—attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault. Gross also faces five counts of reckless endangerment and one charge of firearm use in a felony crime.
According to court documents, Calvert County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to an area of San Mateo Trail after the shooting was reported. Investigators observed several gunshot holes in the front of a house. They also received information that pointed to Gross as a suspect and a description of the vehicle the perpetrator was driving—a 2004 Ford Taurus.
Five people, including a 5-year-old child—were in the house when the shots were fired. No one was injured. A resident of the house who was not home at the time of the incident confirmed she called Gross after he had attempted to contact her. The woman told a sheriff’s office detective that during the conversation Gross made threats to her and her boyfriend. After learning the shooting incident at the San Mateo Trail house, the woman, who told officers she and Gross had worked together, texted the defendant. Gross sent her a texted reply, “do me a favor, stay out of this, I’m playing for keeps.” The woman told police she believes Gross thought she and her boyfriend were inside the residence when the shooting occurred. Gross was later arrested at his residence.
Following his arrest, Gross was ordered held without bond. He is currently being represented by Allison Marie O’Connell, an attorney with the Public Defender’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy State’s Attorney Jennifer L. Morton.
According to court documents, a trial on the charges is tentatively scheduled for August.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com