FREDERICK POLICE DEPARTMENT - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2020
Frederick Police Make Arrest for Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm
FREDERICK, MD – At 1:42 a.m. on May 23, 2020, a caller reported hearing a gunshot in the area of the 500 block of Prospect Boulevard in Frederick. Officers checked the area thoroughly, but did not locate any evidence of a discharge or additional persons who heard the gunshot. The primary officer documented the incident as an unconfirmed firearm discharge.
On May 26 at about 10:15 a.m., an officer responded to 501 Prospect Boulevard for a follow-up to this incident. A new reporting party shared video evidence of a man identified as Timothy Butler, 59, of Frederick, firing a shot into the air. The video was recorded during the same time frame that the caller from May 23 had reported hearing it. Also, the officer identified an additional person who had heard a gunshot at the same time on May 23.
Det. Anthony McPeak took over the investigation. He learned that Butler is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a previous felony conviction. Det. McPeak applied for charges against Butler. On May 28, a District Court Commissioner issued an arrest warrant for Butler, charging him with the following criminal offenses:
- Regulated Firearm: Illegal Possession;
- Firearm Possession with Felony Conviction;
- Illegal Possession of Ammunition;
- Possession of a Firearm with a Prior CDS Conviction;
- Discharge Firearm in City Limits.
At about 4:55 p.m. on May 28, officers of the FPD Street Crimes Unit located and arrested Butler for the active arrest warrant. Members of the FPD Criminal Investigations Section then served a search and seizure warrant at Butler’s residence. During the search, investigators recovered a .45 handgun, a .22 rifle, and ammunition. The handgun had been reported stolen in 2007. Butler is currently incarcerated at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center.
The Frederick Police Department is asking anyone with more information about this incident to contact Detective Anthony McPeak at 240-578-5684. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact the department by voicemail at 301-600-TIPS (8477), text message at 240-674-TIPS (8477), or by email fpdcrimetip@frederickmdpolice.org.
Case Number: 2020-042715
Incident Type: Discharging Firearm
Investigator: Det. Anthony McPeak - 240-578-5684
Contact: Lt. Kirk Henneberry - 301-600-6217