[August 29, 2016, Bel Air, MD] A Harford County man is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound that occurred in a residence located in the 2000 block of Stratton Court in Bel Air. At approximately 1:34 a.m., on Monday, August 29, Patrol Deputies assigned to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Southern Precinct were dispatched for the report of a suicidal subject. Upon arrival, deputies unsuccessfully attempted to make contact with the subject, identified as James Ward. Patrol Deputies established a perimeter and moved to safeguard nearby residents. Deputies assigned to the Special Response Team of the Special Operations Division were requested to the scene and assumed command of the incident. Members of the Special Response Team, with assistance from the Crisis Negotiation Team, attempted to engage in negotiations with Ward to bring the incident to a peaceful conclusion.

After several hours of failed attempts to contact Ward, members of the Special Response Team gained access to the residence and located Ward on a lower floor, deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. No deputies fired any shots during the incident. No deputies, or community members, were injured during the incident.

Investigators and Forensic Service Unit Detectives from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division are conducting a comprehensive investigation into the incident. During the incident, roads were closed making it impossible for buses and students to safely get to nearby schools. Out of an abundance of caution, Harford County Public Schools developed a plan to delay start times at Patterson Mill Middle/High School. All schools in the surrounding area are operating on normal dismissal schedules and all roads have been opened.

James Ward is a known subject to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. On April 21, 2016, Ward was injured during a barricade incident at the same location when Harford County Sheriff’s Office Deputies shot him. During that incident Ward was shooting in the direction of Deputies.