MURDER USA: Allowing lawless criminal element to thrive in Annapolis came home to roost when a stray bullet killed Michelle Cummings, the mom of incoming midshipman
Reward Increased for Information Involving Murdered Mother of Naval Academy Midshipman
Gov. Larry Hogan adds $10,000 in State funds to reward to catch thug who fired the fatal shot
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan on July 1, 2021, issued the following statement on this week’s fatal shooting in Annapolis:
“Earlier today, I spoke with the family of Michelle Cummings and extended our heartfelt condolences for their tragic loss. As the investigation continues, our administration and the Maryland State Police have offered our full resources and support to all participating law enforcement agencies.
“In addition, at my direction, the State of Maryland is adding $10,000 to the reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this senseless crime.”
FBI and ATF Committing Resources to Assist Annapolis Police
Annapolis, MD – With the takeover of key law enforcement positions and county executive in Anne Arundel County in the 2018 elections, the release of criminals without bond required and charges dropped by the leftist prosecutor, the chances for stray bullets being fired by drug dealers, MS13 gangsters and other thugs has increased greatly in Annapolis.
The FBI and ATF announced today that each agency is offering a combined $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest of those responsible for the murder of Michelle Cummings, 57, of Houston, TX. Cummings was killed by what appeared to be random gunfire early on June 29, 2021, on the patio of a local hotel.
Cummings was in Annapolis to drop off her son at the United States Naval Academy, where he was beginning his first year.
The additional reward is in addition to a $2,000 reward announced by Metro Crime Stoppers CRIMESTOPPERS on Tuesday.
Preliminary investigation reveals that Cummings was sitting on a patio area at a hotel and was not the intended target in the shooting. At this time in the investigation, it is believed the shots were fired on Pleasant Street and traveled a distance, striking the victim.
In addition to the increased reward money, the FBI and the ATF have both committed resources to assist the Annapolis Police Department in its investigation, including agents and analysts as well as technical and laboratory assistance.
“This case of senseless violence is a top priority for us, and we are hoping this reward will help convince someone with information to do the right thing and pick up the phone,” said Rachel Byrd, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. “We not only owe it to the victim and her family, but we owe it to the entire community to see that anyone responsible for her death is not allowed to walk away.”
“An evening that was supposed to be a celebration for the Cummings family turned tragic in a matter of moments,” stated Annapolis Police Chief Edward Jackson. “This senseless act of violence will not be tolerated in Annapolis.” He encouraged members of the community to call with any information regarding the incident. “We appreciate and value the partnership with the FBI and ATF for offering investigative assistance and the additional reward funds,” said Chief Jackson.
“We offer our sincere condolences to the family of Michelle Cummings, whose visit to this city and state should never have ended in tragedy,” said ATF Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones. “The violent offenders who bring firearms into Maryland communities have a reckless disregard for human life—unconcerned about the devastation their shootings bring to innocent bystanders. Our partners in Annapolis Police Department have the full support of ATF and all its resources as their detectives work to identify who is responsible for this crime.”
Anyone with information call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587). You may also reach the Annapolis Police Department’s detectives at 410-260-3439.
Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley said in a statement:
“There is no circumstance where this can be tolerated. My sympathies go out to the family. We are focused on getting guns off the street but it only takes one criminal with a gun for the results to be tragic. This was a horrific outcome for the kind of everyday gun violence that many cities across America see. Annapolis is sadly not immune. We have deployed our crisis intervention team to assist the victim’s family. Police Chief Jackson is updating me regularly on the status and every resource is being deployed to solve this case. The perpetrator will be found and held to account.”
Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Sean Buck provided the following statement as well:
“As members of our Naval Academy family, we will do all that we can to support Leonard, his father and the entire Cummings family during this unfathomable time. My wife, Joanne, and I, on behalf of all of us here in Annapolis, offer our deepest sympathies.”
Anne Arundel County States Attorney Anne Colt Leitess defeated Republican Wes Adams in the 2018 General election race for States Attorney. Adams defeated Leitess for the post in 2014.
THE POLICE CHIEF QUIT RATHER THAN PRESIDE OVER EROSION OF THE ANNE ARUNDEL POLICE BY DEMOCRAT BOOBS
Following the election of Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman in 2018 and the police reforms pushed in 2020 by anti-police elements of the Democratic Party in Maryland; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Timothy Altomare announced his retirement on July 23, 2020. Altomare began his service with Anne Arundel Police in 1998 and worked his way up from patrolman to Chief of Police. Altomare took over the agency following the drama of Republican County Executive John Leopold’s 2013 conviction of misconduct in office and subsequent removal which centered around his police security team and the failure of the former chief to take action. Leopold’s security detail was ordered by him to take him to meet women for sexual trysts in parking lots of shopping centers and to perform police tasks.
Altomare blasted the defund the police movement stating that the effort will simply remove the teeth from policing and will result in danger to the public and to police officers as the crime spikes to new levels.
Altomare was appointed chief in 2014 by the newly elected Republican County Executive Steve Schuh. Schuh lost the 2018 election to Pittman. Altomare replaced Chief Kevin Davis who was appointed Baltimore City Police Commissioner and now serves as the new Chief of Police in Fairfax, Va.
In a statement to the personnel of the Anne Arundel County Police, Altomare said: “Ladies and Gentlemen, let me start by saying I love you. You are a magnificent team of which I am and always have been extraordinarily proud to be a part. The time has come, however, for me to leave the team. I need to be able to speak my truth about who you are and who you are NOT. I can’t do that as Chief. Thus, effective August 1, I will be retiring. I wish you the best and I’m proud of you every day… Good luck and I love you all!”
County Executive Steuart Pittman said in a statement: “Chief Altomare has been an outstanding police chief. He took a divided and damaged department in 2014 and implemented more of the 21st Century Policing Task Force reforms than any Maryland department that I know of. He doubled our number of African American sworn officers, implemented Fair and Impartial Policing training for all officers, and made our Crisis Intervention Teams the best in the world.
MECHANICS WANTED
