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Detectives Investigate Shooting Involving Off-Duty Officer; Two Deceased after Domestic Incident

For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 30, 2014

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police - Major Crimes Division are continuing to investigate a shooting that occurred last evening involving an off-duty Montgomery County Police officer.  The incident occurred last night at approximately 8:06 p.m. at the officer's residence in the 7400 block of Lake Katrine Terrace in Gaithersburg.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the 58-year-old officer, his 53-year-old wife, and their 25-year-old son were in the residence.  At some point, the officer heard an altercation between the son and mother.  The officer came to the aid of his wife who had been stabbed by the son.  The exact sequence of events is still under investigation but it is believed that the officer shot his son with a handgun.  The officer then called 911.

The son was pronounced deceased on the scene.  The mother was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

The officer involved is identified as James Stirkens, a 27-year veteran of the Montgomery County Police Department.  He is assigned as a patrol Sergeant in the Silver Spring District.  He has been placed on routine administrative leave.

The deceased are identified as Denise Stirkens, age 53, and Christopher Stirkens, age 25.

The investigation is continuing and no charges have been placed.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives in the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070.

JMD

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Release ID: 14-027
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases