Suspect Arrested in La Plata Shooting

A 28-year old male was arrested for his alleged role in this week’s early morning shooting in La Plata. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office reported that James Jvon Butler (28) of La Plata was arrested on Wednesday, September 17, alleging he shot a known acquaintance. Together, La Plata Police and the Charles County Sherriff’s department collaborated in the investigation of the shooting that occurred at the 800th block of Cedar Court in La Plata.

Butler’s motives revealed the shooting to be over a heated ongoing argument. The time was roughly 5:11 a.m. when Butler allegedly shot the 39-year-old victim from behind in the leg. The victim, who has not been named, was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. When the sheriff’s officers were informed about the alleged shooting, they developed information on the whereabouts of Butler that concluded he was near J.P. Ryon Elementary and John Hanson Middle School, however, the officers were unable to find him. Butler’s flee towards the direction of the schools caused a lockdown. Teachers continued teaching the students after they had found safe locations. Visitors, students, and staff were unable to enter or exit the building. Charles County Public Schools spokeswoman Katie O’Malley-Simpson later spoke about the incident. “We go by police recommendation to put a shelter-in-place and lock it down,” she said. “They were searching and said they had information that a suspect was in the area.”

Butler had been hiding in a motel in Waldorf from September 16, 2014 to September 17, 2014, until members of the Charles County Sherriff’s Department arrested and detained Butler at 7:30 a.m. James Jvon Butler was later transported to the Charles County Detention Center where he will also be charge with attempted first-degree murder.