News Releases

UPDATE: Officers and Armed Subject Identified in Shooting

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 5, 2012

Detectives from the Major Crimes Division-Homicide Sex Section are continuing to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Sandy Spring yesterday. Today they are releasing the identities of the armed man and the two officers involved the shooting.

The armed man is identified as Fritz Otto Naecker, 63 years old. Police have been unable to confirm an address for him. The two officers are identified as Sergeant James Rudnick, a 17-year veteran and Officer Matthew Wiedner who has been on the department since 2007. Both officers are assigned as uniform patrol officers in the 4th District.

It was yesterday at 4:31 p.m., that 4th District officers responded to a call for a man with a gun at the Sandy Spring Urban Bar-B-Que located at 805 Olney-Sandy Spring Road. Upon arrival, officers observed Naecker in the outdoor dining area of the restaurant. He was armed with a firearm. Officers attempted to communicate with Naecker and gave him verbal commands but he refused to comply with officers' directions. The two officers discharged their service weapons, Naecker was injured and transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the number of shots fired, remain under investigation. As is department protocol, the officers will remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

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Release ID: 12-148
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases