Maryland detectives shot during chase released from hospital

BALTIMORE (AP) — Two police detectives in Maryland who were shot and wounded by a homicide suspect have been released from the hospital.

Anne Arundel County Detectives Scott Ballard and Ian Preece were at “home recovering with their families,” the police department announced Sunday on social media. A appeared to show a line of law enforcement vehicles honoring the officers.

The detectives while trying to capture the suspect in the fatal shooting of Christopher Lawrence Jones, 44, who was found dead Wednesday in a Glen Burnie home.

Joseph Robert Mitchell Willis, 22, of Pasadena, Maryland, was charged with first-degree murder in Jones’ shooting death and attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of the detectives, news outlets reported. Willis acknowledged killing Jones and shooting the detectives, according to charging documents.

Police said the detectives noticed Jones’ car had been stolen while investigating the homicide Wednesday. The detectives found the stolen car and Ballard attempted to make a traffic stop but was shot. Preece continued to pursue the vehicle but was struck in a shootout with the suspect. Willis was captured Thursday after a manhunt.

Willis was ordered to be held without bond Friday. His public defender said Willis waived his right to attend the bail review, news outlets reported.