Gaithersburg man charged after standoff, officer put on leave

WASHINGTON – A Gaithersburg man faces multiple charges after he barricaded himself inside his home and threatened to hurt his wife Sunday night.

Jeffery A. Flaherty, 53, is charged with four counts of first-degree assault. Police recovered multiple guns from the home and found a handgun stashed in the ceiling of the basement, where Flaherty remained during the several-hour standoff.

Flaherty’s wife had called Montgomery County police Sunday evening saying her husband had threatened to kill her and other family members.

Soon after police arrived at the Gaithersburg home, there was some sort of exchange between Flaherty and police and an officer fired his gun. No one was injured.

Tactical and negotiations officers were called in. And Flaherty surrendered about 10:45 p.m.

Flaherty later told police that he pointed something at the police in an attempt to provoke the officers to shoot him.

The officer who fired his gun was identified as Scott Feldman, who has 24 years of experience with the department. Feldman has been placed on standard paid administrative leave while the incident remains under investigation.

Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on Facebook.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up