William Preston Gross Jr., 28, of Bryans Road
On January 1, 2018 at approximately 7:45 p.m., PFC P.J. Thompson of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the parking lot area of the Deluxe Inn on 6705 Crain Highway in La Plata for a reported assault in progress.
Upon his arrival, Thompson made contact with the caller who stated suspect William Preston Gross Jr., 28, of Bryans Road, and his girlfriend had just fled from the parking lot northbound on Crain Highway. She further stated that, at that time, the girlfriend was operating the vehicle.
Despite alerting other Charles County Sheriff’s Office units to the suspect’s vehicle via radio, an attempt to locate the vehicle yielded negative results. After asking the caller/witness for further explanation as to what just occurred, she stated Gross Jr. had just arrived in the parking lot with his girlfriend in a black 2014 Chevrolet Malibu bearing Maryland registration. She further stated she was present in the parking lot area awaiting the girlfriend’s arrival.
Just after Gross Jr. began making the threats and yelling, several other people from nearby rooms came outside to observe what the commotion was about. During the altercation, the caller told police, “[Gross Jr.] got back into the car and tried to hit people with it!”
PFC Thompson further spoke with the victim, who stated at one point while Gross Jr. was in the car she yelled at him to, “Stop!” and he then accelerated at her causing her to jump over a parking space barricade to avoid being struck by the vehicle. The victim did not request or need any medical treatment.
The caller stated Gross Jr. continued to accelerate and drive erratically in the parking lot area as they were outside. Thompson asked the caller if she knew what Gross Jr. was upset about and she stated, “He was just supposed to drop [his girlfriend] off but he came in here all drunk, trying to fight everybody!”
The caller emphasized no one was struck directly by Gross Jr. or his girlfriend during the incident. The caller did add that the girlfriend “made threats to me about my daughter and I don’t take kindly to that,” but did not elaborate any further.
The current status of Gross Jr.’s license revealed it to be suspended for failing to comply with the Charles County District Court as of December 19, 2017. The caller stated on scene that she clearly observed Gross Jr. arrive in the vehicle and witnessed him get back in the vehicle’s driver’s seat during the incident, then attempting to strike the victim with it.
William Preston Gross, Jr. was charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, attempted manslaughter, second-degree assault, intoxicated endangerment, disorderly conduct, intoxicated public disturbance, disturbing the peace, driving while impaired by alcohol, reckless driving, negligent driving, and a variety of traffic charges. Gross Jr. was released on $5,000 bond January 5, 2018. He awaits a preliminary hearing January 30, 2018 at the Charles County District Court.
William Preston Gross Jr., 28, of Bryans Road
