Abingdon man found dead after Harford sheriff's deputies try to serve child-support warrant

An Abingdon man was found dead after Harford County sheriff's deputies tried to serve a warrant for child support, according to the sheriff's office. On Tuesday afternoon, deputies trying to serve a $4,000 Bureau of Support Enforcement warrant on Ralph Wayne Beakley, 53, at his home in the 3200 block of Philadelphia Road heard apparent gunfire, according to the sheriff's office. There was no response from inside, so deputies got a search warrant to enter. Specialized units, including the crisis negotiation team, the special response unit and the Harford County Office of Mental Health, responded, and traffic along Philadelphia Road between Route 24 and Route 543 was interrupted. At 10:30 p.m., deputies entered the home and found Beakley dead, with gunshot wounds to the upper torso. He was alone in the house. Investigators believe Beakley's death was a suicide.

- Liz F. Kay

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