The Charles County Sheriff’s Department reported that 30-year-old Carl Braxton was fatally shot Monday in Bryans Road, Maryland. The violent confrontation unfolded just before 3:30 a.m.
Authorities found that a report of an assault on Braxton’s girlfriend was called in from their townhouse. The victim ran from the home and flagged down a man who was out walking his dog nearby.
Witnesses told responding officers that Braxton also left the home, approached the armed dog walker, and made threats against him. Authorities said the D.C. firefighter “continued walking aggressively toward the man.”
At that point, the stranger then produced his firearm, which police confirmed was legally possessed, and shot Braxton.
The firefighter was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Local law enforcement reported they are investigating the shooting incident as a homicide.
The armed dog walker remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. He was reportedly taken to the local police department for questioning before being released.
In a released statement, the D.C. Fire and EMS Department said Braxton had been a firefighter for eight years after graduating in April 2015. He is survived by two sons, and the Department is providing counseling for those affected by his loss.
The incident comes at a time when Maryland citizens are increasingly receiving concealed carry permits. Along with gun ownership in general, this surge is being seen across the nation as violent crime spirals out of control in many areas.
Much of the change, especially in areas that normally restricted legal firearm owners from concealed carry, came in the aftermath of 2022’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in New York Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. This removed most of the legal restrictions over the right to bear arms for law-abiding citizens.
Maryland State Police report that 115,860 concealed carry permits have been issued in the state since the Bruen ruling was handed down.
Maryland self-defense and firearms instructor Ryan Gass told local media that both sides of the gun control debate will tune in to see what happens in this latest case.
“This is going to be something I think that is growing in Maryland,” he explained. “In the past, you didn’t see this happen too often, because Marylanders and visitors were denied their right to keep and bear arms. But post-Bruen that has now changed.”
Gass noted that many of the state’s gun permit holders are dialed in to see what the specific facts are in the case. They also want to know whether the dog walker’s actions will be determined to be justifiable self-defense by Charles County authorities.
The sheriff’s department said the Charles County State’s Attorney is being consulted in the case. The shooter has not been charged, and authorities report he is cooperating with the investigation.
As tragic as the incident is, the facts appear to align with a case for self-defense. An assault allegedly occurred which was reported to law enforcement, and the victim was able to escape the residence and summon help from a passing stranger.
That stranger was then allegedly approached and threatened, at which time he produced a legally carried weapon and defended himself. The loss of life is tragic, but the shooter appears to have responded in a sensible manner consistent with the situation.
For certain, Maryland concealed carry permit holders will keenly watch this case for evidence on how authorities will decide on self-defense incidents.
