Severn Man Pleads Guilty To Attempted Murder: Officials

SEVERN, MD — Officials on Friday announced that a Severn man pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder and using a handgun in a crime of violence. Prosecutors identified the suspect as 21-year-old Philip Leupolu.

A judge sentenced Leupolu to 60 years in prison with all but 28 suspended, an incident report noted. That means the accused man will spend nearly three decades in jail, the write-up clarified.

Authorities mentioned that Leupolu was on probation at the time of the shooting. He will also serve a concurrent 12-year sentence on charges of violating his probation, the press release added.

Officials said the Severn shooting happened on Oct. 4, 2020 near the intersection of Sebring Court and Raleigh Drive. The prosecution alleged that Leupolu got in the front passenger seat of the victim's black Volvo XC90.

Authorities accused the suspect of firing multiple gunshots. The report indicated that the Volvo then crashed into a light pole, and the accused man fled with a black handgun. The victim went to an unnamed hospital in critical but stable condition, the write-up specified.

Prosecutors reported that police later found the defendant's white iPhone in the SUV. Officials also informed that they spotted Leupolu on surveillance video near the crime scene.

The attack happened after a dispute involving a mutual female acquaintance, Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess explained.

"The defendant turned a personal dispute into a violent attack on the victim," Leitess said in the release, wishing the victim a speedy recovery. "This brazen crime and his history indicates he is truly a danger to our community and this sentence will prevent him from committing violent acts for many years."

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. Download our mobile application from the App Store or Google Play.

RELATED:

• Driver Shot While Behind Wheel, Crashes In Severn: Police

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.