As the police investigation continues, investigators are identifying the suspect who was a walk-off from a pre-release facility and, after arming himself during a break-in of a nearby home, was fatally wounded in the police involved shooting in Queen Anne’s County last evening.
The deceased suspect is identified as Michael J. Schluderberg, 25, who had been serving a three year sentence for assault in the Division of Correction and was currently housed at the Eastern Pre-Release Unit in Church Hill, Md. Before entering prison, his last known address was in Baltimore.
At about 6:00 p.m. yesterday, Maryland State Police from the Centreville Barrack were called to the Eastern Pre-Release Unit after correctional officers found Schluderberg missing during an inmate count. At about the same time, deputies from the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home in the 600-block of Carvel Place Road for a report of a breaking, entering and theft. The homeowner said he had returned from work to find his house had been burglarized and several items, including a handgun and loaded magazines had been stolen. Deputies checking the neighborhood obtained a description of a suspicious man who had been seen around the area earlier that afternoon, which was similar to the description of the inmate walk-off police were also looking for.
At about 7:30 p.m. yesterday, the deputy who had taken the breaking and entering report spotted a man fitting the suspect’s description walking along southbound Rt. 301, about one-half mile north of Rt. 305. He alerted other deputies and state troopers in the area and several units converged on the location. Officers gave repeated verbal commands to the suspect, which he ignored. As a deputy attempted to approach, the suspect turned and fired multiple rounds from a handgun at officers. Police returned fire, but the suspect turned and ran through a soybean field toward a farm about one-half mile away.
The farm owner heard the gunfire on Rt. 301 and saw a man running toward his residence through the field. He secured his family and told them to call 911. The farmer told investigators he then armed himself with a handgun and confronted the suspect as he came out of the bean field. The farmer said the suspect was holding a knife, but dropped it.
Moments later, an officer from the Centreville Police Department arrived at the farm and attempted to convince the suspect to surrender. The suspect repeatedly refused to surrender.
According to the preliminary investigation, the suspect repeatedly told the officer and the farmer he was not going back to jail and they would have to kill him. The suspect began backing down a dirt lane away from the officer, while the officer continued to try to convince him to surrender.
The suspect then suddenly reached behind him in a threatening manner as if he was trying to pull something from his waistband. Knowing the suspect had been armed and had fired at officers and in fear for his life, the officer fired his pistol and wounded the suspect.
The Centreville police officer provided immediate emergency care to the suspect while EMS personnel were summoned. Medics pronounced the suspect dead at the scene.
Maryland State Police crime scene technicians and investigators from the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office spent last night and this morning searching the expansive area where this incident occurred. Police recovered a handgun in the bean field which is believed to be the one stolen from the home on Carvel Place Road. A knife was recovered on the farm where the farm owner first confronted the suspect. Investigators also found an apparent suicide note near the body of the suspect.
No police officers were injured during the exchange of gunfire. A cooperative investigation is being conducted by the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, the Centreville Police Department and the Maryland State Police. Assistance was also provided by personnel from the Centreville Volunteer Fire Department. Administrative investigations will also be conducted by the police departments whose personnel fired their weapons, which is procedure.
The Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney’s Office investigator was on scene to assist. Once complete, the investigation will be presented to the state’s attorney for review.
Due to the police involved shooting occurring on Rt. 301, the southbound lanes of the highway had to be closed to traffic until the early morning hours of today while the investigation was conducted. Traffic was diverted around the area by a State Highway Administration detour. One southbound lane was opened about 1:00 a.m. and both lanes were opened shortly after 2:00 a.m. today.
The investigation is continuing.
Jackie jordan says
I really dont feel as though its necessary to put every detail in the headline mike had young kids they dont need to see those details
Angel Mccoy says
I agree and I don’t understand which they had to shoot to kill I understand the office being scared but he could have shot Mike in the shoulder or something which deadly FORCE? Mike was my cousin he had 2 sons and lot of family who will miss him greatly may gos rest ur soul Mikey
Karen Gay says
The suspect was a criminal. He threathened the officers and innocent neighbors. He had a gun. He fired the gun. He was killed. End of story.
Kimberley Konczyk says
Mike was a very sweet person and a loving father, and the little brother of one of my best friends. Yes, he may have done wrong with the weapons, but when someone loses their freedom and feels there’s no other way out other than to kill themselves, the last thing they need is a brutal chase down and being killed for suspicion. Police officers are trained for these things, and how to handle those who are emotionally turmoiled and on the edge, and just like another woman said, he could have easily shot him in the knee to prevent him from standing and disarmed him. I’m the daughter of a Police Officer, and normally I will agree with their intent, but this was unnecessary and unfortunately, it’s always the law’s word against the people’s. No one will ever know what truly happened, but calling him a criminal is just a pathetic cop-out for someone who knows nothing of his life. He was a good person and so is his family. I hope he rests in peace and has found the peace he was looking for.. and I hope his family finds peace in the future.
Brooke Bennett says
He wasn’t a criminal? What landed him in a pre-release unit then? He stole a gun after escaping, still not a criminal? Hopefully his children know the details so they do not grow up to be like their father. If he wanted to take his life so bad, then I ask why didn’t he. Our police officers and personnel that serve the community put their life on the line everytime they are dispatched on a call. They are trained to protect themselves and their community. He had already fired the stolen weapon. I guess the officer is supposed to take the chance. Im sure he has a family too that is glad he came home safe again. So I would like to thank those involved for keeping us safe!
Justin Parsons says
Brooke i could not have said it any better myself!!!!!! i feel as if the Officers had a jusitified shoot and should not be put down. the man shot at officers without reguard for them!!!! i stand behind all law inforcement! and farmers as well!!!!
Brett Lysinger says
Thank You Brooke!!!!!! The posts above make me sick!!!!
Mike Boehmer says
Thanks Brooke, The lack of common sense is astounding.
D.B. Temple says
+1
Lainey Harrison says
I see this as justified. Lets look at the facts:
He was a prisoner.
He escaped prison.
He broke into a home and stole a gun.
He used that gun to shoot at a police officer.
He ran away from that shooting.
He was confronted by a farmer with a gun.
He brought a knife to a gun fight.
Another officer tells him to drop the weapon.
He does not do as directed by the officer.
He makes a move, BANG! Your dead.
Thank heavens we dont have to attend a cops funeral.
This guy should have thought about his own kids before he did all this stupid stuff. He victimized his own children. I do feel for them, poor souls, had a criminal for a daddy.
Lainey Harrison says
A quick look at Maryland case search says this guy has been busted on drug charges, burglary, and assault. Yet his friends say he is not a criminal….
Mike Boehmer says
Shoot him in the shoulder? Shoot him in the leg? Hahah You have got to be kidding me. I guess I should go to the range with you sharp shooters. News Flash: What happens in movies does NOT happen in real life. If you people have all the tactical answers, Why are you not advising Law Enforcement, or the Military? As far as the kids…All of this is public knowledge. Instead of pointing fingers, maybe you all (closest friends, and Family) missed some ques that were cries for help. Officers are forced to make split second decisions daily. On this day one was made. Where as the personal people in this young mans life had 25 years to help make decisions. Bottom line is this is one less Officer funeral I have to go to this year.
D. Wiley says
In response to Mike B. and others who only think they know the whole story…..
I have known Mike Schluderberg since the day he was born. For years his family and friends did try to help him and get him help. He did have issues. He did have a troubled childhood. The state of Maryland and others would not do anything to help his family, all they would do is say there was nothing they could do. He was wrong in committing the crimes that he committed. But he was the father of 2 small children and the NEWS does not report all of the facts of his life or the things that may have led to why he was in trouble. The criminal system does not always help people who are incarcerated; they just get set to release them without any concern of how they will cope with the issues of how they got there in the first place. REPEAT offenders are that for a reason. So. not to condone what he did, but the police do not always have to use deadly force. He did not point a gun at someone he was reaching into his waistband. AND yes, I do have very close friends that are on the police force and who are in corrections.
Jackie jordan says
Thank you
K Carson says
Wow some people just don’t get it. “He did not point a gun at someone he was reaching into his waistband. ” What was he reaching for, his car keys? Apparently you missed the part where he ALREADY shot at the police on the highway?! That means he was trying to murder police officers. Yeah, great guy.
“..the last thing they need is a brutal chase down and being killed for suspicion.” – “Suspicion” of what? – He shot at the police!! Yeah, your right. These people should never be caught.
Put yourself in a police officers shoes – Someone just tried to kill me and missed. Now in the timeframe of one second, he is going to try and kill me again – and you want me to stop and think about his life leading up to this point, what got him here, his family, etc? No. Its now or never. Kill or be killed. This guy made the choice to die. It’s called suicide by cop. Thankfully, no police officers or civilians were hurt.
krystal schluderberg says
Let me just say this, if this was your family would you not be upset? Would you not be hurting? Would you be on here posting trash just because you think you know everything? I think not.. In the end my brother was a troubled guy, but does that mean when his family is online they wanna see such heartless comments.. people he had a family just remember that!!!!! Maybe if this happens in your family you would understand our pain. Think about what you say before you say it.
Lainey Harrison says
I remember when my son died, I hated hearing folks defending the criminal who was responsible for his death. It absolutely disgusted me.
Defending a criminal…. sick.
joe diamond says
Pre release center! He was getting out; going home.
His actions showed he was more of a threat to the community than expected. While jail is not treatment he was not ready to get out. Felons do not get executed for burglary……….but they do for killing a police officer. He would have faced attempted murder, more burglary & theft charges plus escape charges.
And his family would have had to sit by in a supportive manner……looking at years and years of jail visitations.
Glad he didn’t kill the cop.
Joe
Brett Lysinger says
You know you would think the family would not want to post comments about this online and expect the public give them a shoulder to cry on and tell them your right he was misunderstood. You are WRONG perhaps he was a nice guy once perhaps he was a great son, brother, grandson once but the reality was on that night he was none of those he was a criminal who tried to kill a police officer. This is what happens when you shoot at a police officer we shoot back and no we are not trained to shoot a leg an arm no we are trained to shoot center mass as not to injure but to stop the threat to protect our lives and protect the lives of the citizens we serve. To the family I am sorry I am sure you are hurting but do not expect sympathy from the public after he attempted to kill a police officer your not going to get it. And if this was my family I would not post on a public forum looking for support I would actually be thankful an officer was not killed or wounded and would not make excuses for my family member.