The Frederick Police Department makes arrest for Attempted Second Degree murder within 24 hours of incident...
d: 08/27/12
On August 26, 2012, just 20 hours after the shooting occurred on Heather Ridge Drive, Police in Bristol Tennessee and Detectives from the Frederick Police Department arrested and questioned the primary suspect. At approximately 1231 AM on August 26, 2012, the Frederick Police Department responded to the 1000 Block of Heather Ridge Drive for a report of shooting where one victim had been shot multiple times. As of this release the male victim B/M 35 of Frederick Md is still undergoing treatment in the Shock Trauma Hospital in Baltimore MD where he is listed in serious condition. Rafael Lopez Cardoza, 22 years of age, from Frederick, MD was identified by Detectives with the Frederick Police Criminal Investigation Division as the suspect in this case.
During the course of the investigation Detectives were able to quickly identify Cardoza as a suspect and learned he was fleeing the state to avoid prosecution. Reliable information lead the detectives to believe he was on a bus headed south with a possible stopover in Bristol Tn. As Frederick Detectives where in transit, they received assistance from the Bristol Police Department, Bristol, TN, by taking Mr. Cardoza into custody in their jurisdiction.
It should be stated that Cardoza was already wanted by the Frederick Police Department for an earlier unrelated shooting investigation that occurred earlier this month in Tasker’s Chance neighborhood 12-50544.
Following his arrest, Cardoza was transported to the Sullivan County TN Detention Center. Cardoza will be held at the Sullivan County Detention Center pending an extradition hearing. Following that hearing Cardoza will be transported to Frederick where he will face multiple charges related to the two shootings.
Cardoza has been charged with the following charges related to the 1000 block of Heather Ridge Drive shooting:
Arrestee: Cardoza, Rafael Lopez H/M
DOB: 03/19/1990
Address: 300 Block Thomas Avenue
Charges: Attempted 2nd Degree Murder
Assault First Degree
Assault Second Degree
Reckless Endangerment
Possession of Concealed Dangerous Weapon
Handgun on Person
Possession of Dangerous Weapon with intent to injure
Use of a Firearm in a felony violent crime
The Chief of Police Kim C. Dine praised the hard work and effective teamwork of the Frederick PD as well as the assistance of other police agencies which made this capture possible so quickly. This is an example of outstanding Detective work.
Case# 12-53380
Lead Investigator: Det. Steve Petruzzello
Author of Release: Cpl Aaron Lapp
Original Release:
On 08/26/2012 at approximately 1231 AM the Frederick Police Department responded to the 1000 block of Heather Ridge Drive for a shooting. Officer’s determined that one male victim had been shot. The male victim was transported to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore MD.
Investigation into this incident is being completed by Frederick Police Department Detectives. Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the lead investigator, Det. Steve Petruzzello, at 301-600-4110 or the Frederick Police Department’s Crime Tip line at 301-600-TIPS.
The investigation into this incident is currently active and ongoing; no further information is being released at this time. Follow up press releases will be issued in the near future.
Case# 12-53380
Lead Investigator: Det. Steve Petruzzello
Author of release: D/Cpl. A. Lapp