Rico K. Keys
Lexington Park, MD— On June 25, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ball responded to Flower Drive in Lexington Park regarding a domestic disturbance.
Upon arrival Ball observed a male in a white shirt run into a residence leaving the front door open. Ball exited his agency vehicle and started towards the residence.
There was a loud disturbance coming from inside the residence with multiple voices screaming.
Ball entered the residence and observed a shirtless young male at the end of the hallway holding a knife in his hands. According to charging documents, “Ball drew his agency-issued handgun and pointed [it] at him giving him loud verbal commands to drop the knife and get on the ground.”
The male, complied and dropped the knife and got down on the floor. Ball holstered his handgun after the knife was safely taken away. Several individuals were screaming and pointing at the couch where Ball observed the male wearing the white shirt who entered the residence upon his arrival.
The suspect, who was identified as Rico K. Keys, 21, of Great Mills, approached Ball with his fist clenched at his sides. Keys continued to approach in an aggressive manner and screamed, “shoot me, shoot me,” according to charging documents.
“At which point he [Keys] took another step towards me getting within striking distance.” Ball then fired the taser at Keys, striking him in the chest. Keys fell to the ground where he passively refused to put his hands behind his back despite several loud verbal commands to do so.
Keys was arrested and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center, where he was charged with second-degree assault.
Keys has a scheduled hearing Aug 18 in District Court. Keys faces a maximum jail sentence of 10 years and/or a maximum fine of $2,500 if found guilty of the charges he faces.
Contact Charles Seifert at c.seifert@thebaynet.com