Former Police Chief, HoCo Resident Charged With Attempted Murder

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The former police chief of Laurel has been arrested and charged with a dozen counts of attempted first-degree murder, 12 counts of attempted second-degree murder and several counts of arson. David M. Crawford, 69, of Ellicott City apparently "targeted victims with whom he had previous disagreements."

A list of targets was found on Crawford's cellphone revealing who he had grievances with, including three former police officials he had served with. In six of the arson cases, the victims and their families were asleep in their homes. Investigators say Crawford also set fire to not just houses but also garages and cars in Howard, Frederick, Charles, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties from 2011 to 2020.

“These allegations are troubling and quite serious, and if proven true, members of our city of Laurel family have been victimized,” Laurel’s mayor, Craig A. Moe, told the New York Times. “And I want to say that our thoughts and prayers are with them, and their families as this case proceeds.”

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball shared during a news conference that investigators had obtained surveillance video in many cases where the arsonist displayed a similar pattern of starting the fires with gallons of gasoline and a stick wrapped in cloth. The suspect also had a similar appearance in many videos, wearing a sweatshirt with a tightly drawn hood. Howard County Fire Chief William Anuszewski described the situation as "disturbing." In January 2021, a search of Crawford’s residence found several pieces of evidence including the list of targets.

The victims include a former city of Laurel official, three former law enforcement officials including a former city of Laurel Police Chief, two relatives, two of Crawford’s former physicians, and a resident in his neighborhood. Investigators said that none of the civilian victims of the fires were connected to Crawford through his law enforcement career.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the multiple jurisdictions and departments who worked together to arrest the suspect and potentially stop any future tragedies,” Ball said. “Not only were these homes and residents’ lives put in danger – but the lives of our first responders, firefighters and police officers around the state were endangered.”

Crawford is being held without bond at the Howard County Detention Center.