Warrant/Fugitive Division Felony Arrest Report #PGSO

Upper Marlboro, MD…The Sheriff’s Office Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the following felony arrest:

Attempted First Degree Murder Suspect Arrested

Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Busara Kennedy, of College Park, MD on an arrest warrant for Attempted First Degree Murder that was obtained by the Office of the Sheriff on February 19, 2018. Kennedy was arrested after stabbing Corporal Nicholas Romanchick, one of three deputies serving an Emergency Petition Service, a court order to apprehend a mentally ill or distressed person and transport them to a facility for mental health evaluation.

According to the warrant, on February 19, 2018, Kennedy was ordered by a District Judge to receive a mental evaluation after a relative said they were fearful that Kennedy would kill himself or hurt someone.  Deputies arrived in the early morning hours to execute the order at a residence in the 6900 block of Carleton Terrace in College Park, Md.

Deputies were advised by the relative on the scene that Kennedy was upstairs in the attic. As deputies knocked on the door, Kennedy swung open the attic door and struck Cpl. Romanchick in the face with a military grade serrated edged knife. After a brief struggle, Kennedy escaped back into the attic as Cpl. Romanchick was treated and transported to the hospital. After retreating to the attic, Kennedy climbed out of the residence and onto the roof where he stayed. Family members indicated that he was hypoglycemic and hadn’t eaten. After getting him to eat, his distress level lessened and he agreed to come down.

Kennedy was placed into custody and transported to Prince George’s County hospital. The warrant further states that Kennedy had been previously diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  

Kennedy is also charged with Attempted Second Degree Murder, and First and Second Degree Assault.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.