Crime and Courts

Maryland man shoots, kills teen stepson over unfinished chores, investigators say

The shooting occurred at the family's home in Charles County, Maryland

NBC Universal, Inc.

A stepfather shot and killed his 15-year-old stepson in Charles County, Maryland, on Wednesday because he was upset the teen didn't complete some household chores, authorities say.

Michael Edward Clemons was unconscious when officers with the Charles County Sheriff's office responded to the family's home on Hunt Road in La Plata shortly after midnight, the sheriff's office said.

WATCH ANYTIME FOR FREE

icon

>Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are.

Clemons died at the home, authorities said.

Investigators said the boy's stepfather, 48-year-old Darshan Eric Williams, shot him after getting upset that Clemons didn't do the yard work he was told to do.

Williams was standing outside the home when officers arrived and they took him into custody. No other people were in the home when the shooting happened, the sheriff's office said.

Detectives spent hours at the home investigating and collecting evidence, including a gun recovered from the scene.

Williams was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and other related charges. The sheriff's office said he's in jail and is expected to appear in court on Thursday.

Contact Us