A Lexington Park woman is charged with multiple offenses, including assault and handgun theft, after an encounter with law enforcement that left her shot. On October 23, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a welfare check related to a reported stolen firearm when they found 34-year-old Paige Taylor Hartness in a vehicle. After she fled on foot and allegedly pointed a gun at the deputies, they responded by firing at her.
Hartness now faces ten criminal counts, and court records indicate she has pleaded not guilty, with her trial set to begin on March 30, 2026. This incident raises critical questions about the circumstances that led to the shooting and the broader implications for police engagement with armed individuals.
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