Hagerstown man charged with attempted murder, assault

A Hagerstown man has been arrested on charges he tried to shoot an Ellicott City man Monday, Howard County police said yesterday.

Earl Leonardo Weems, 41, of the 100 block of S. Mulberry St. was charged with attempted murder, assault, possession of a handgun, reckless endangerment, burglary and malicious destruction of property.

Police said Weems is accused of attempting to break into the home of Charles Andre Pridgen, 41, of the 8700 block of Town and Country Blvd. about 8 a.m. Monday. The two had been arguing over a "domestic matter," police said.

Pridgen, who was home at the time, called police and then confronted Weems, who is accused of pulling a handgun from his waistband and firing several shots, police said.

Officers arrested Weems shortly after they arrived. He was being held yesterday at the Southern District lockup in Scaggsville in lieu of $100,000 bail.