After an intense manhunt that involved a helicopter and drones, a Maryland man accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend and her mother Wednesday morning has turned himself over to police custody.
Deon Johnson, 24, broke into his ex-girlfriend’s house on Port Tobacco Road in Nanjemoy, Maryland, around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday and stabbed the two women before fleeing into a nearby woods, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office said.
The attack sent both women to the hospital, where they are recovering.
According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and online court records, on Aug. 29, Johnson violated a peace order taken out by his ex-girlfriend’s mother, requiring him to stay away from their home. Johnson was due in court on that charge on Sept. 30 — just days before officials said he attacked the women.
The stabbing Wednesday sparked a large law enforcement response. They searched for Johnson using a helicopter, drones and police dogs.
At 10:41 p.m., the Charles County Sheriff’s Office said Johnson turned himself into authorities. He was placed in custody and will be charged with attempted first-degree murder.
Update on stabbing: The suspect, Deon Johnson, turned himself into authorities just a short time ago. He is now in custody and will be charged with attempted first-degree murder. Thank you for your help.
— Charles Co Sheriff (@CCSOMD) October 3, 2019
While Johnson was still at large, authorities asked parents and caregivers to take extra precautions getting home from school safely Wednesday afternoon.
Charles County sheriff’s spokeswoman Diane Richardson said deputies were dispatched to follow school buses dropping off children after school as a precaution.
