Joseph Robert Mitchell Willis, 22, of Pasadena
UPDATE 11/25/2020: Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess announced today that Joseph Willis, 22, of Pasadena entered a guilty plea to one count of first degree murder in the death of Christopher Jones and two counts of attempted first degree murder of Anne Arundel County Detectives William S. Ballard and Ian Preece. He will be sentenced on March 12, 2021.
“This guilty plea is the beginning of resolving a case that has impacted the lives of those in our community,” said Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess. “I would like to first extend my deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Jones. I’m grateful that Detectives Ballard and Preece who were simply doing their job by protecting our community continue to make remarkable strides in their recovery. Additionally, I would like to thank the Anne Arundel County Police Department and partnering local agencies – the Maryland State Police, Natural Resources Police and Baltimore City Police – for their hard work and assistance. Mr. Willis will be sentenced in 2021 where he faces up to three consecutive life sentences and will be held accountable for his crimes.”
Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Steinhardt prosecuted the case on behalf of the citizens of Anne Arundel County.
On February 5, 2020, 911 operators received a call from a resident who lives in the 600 block of Newfield Road in Glen Burnie who reported his roommate, who was later identified as Christopher Lawrence Jones, deceased. The resident informed the 911 operator that it appeared that someone had entered his home as it had been ransacked and that Mr. Jones had appeared to be beaten to death. The caller also stated that Mr. Jones’ vehicle was missing and that he believed that Mr. Jones’ friend, who he only knew as “Joe” took Mr. Jones’ vehicle, a 2010 Toyota Camry. The friend gave a generalized description of Joe who he was told lived in the Brooklyn Park area.
When police officers arrived to the location, they found Mr. Jones lying on his bed on his right side, fully clothed, with blood all over his head and face and a quarter size hole on the left side of his head. An autopsy was conducted by the Assistant Medical Examiner at Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found that the manner of death was homicide.
Upon further investigation, Mr. Simmons told police that when he arrived home that day, he discovered the side entry door of his residence, which is located off the driveway, was open and all the interior lights were on. At that point, he walked inside his residence and immediately noticed several of his rifles were lying on the kitchen floor and that his little black safe was open and various properties was missing – including currency and jewelry.
While executing a search and seizure warrant at the home, Anne Arundel County police officers received a radio transmission that two Anne Arundel County detectives had been shot.
The Anne Arundel County Police Department Fugitive Apprehension Team which included Det. Preece and Det. Ballard responded to Brooklyn Park at the intersection of Anne Arundel County and Baltimore City after receiving notification that Mr. Jones’ vehicle was captured on a license plate reader near Church Street in Baltimore section of Anne Arundel County.
Det. Preece saw the vehicle in Anne Arundel County and began to pursue the vehicle at approximately 11:00 p.m., while simultaneously calling out on radio. He continued to pursue the vehicle into Baltimore City. After Det. Preece turned on his lights and sirens, the driver of the vehicle continue to disobey the order by failing to stop. In another vehicle, Det. Ballard drove up next to the stolen vehicle and the driver of the vehicle shot at Det. Ballard, striking him in his face, which resulted in significant injury, including loss of teeth, reconstructive surgery and required his jaw to be wired shut for months. Det. Ballard was able to use his police issued radio to notify that shots were fired, but was subsequently only able to communicate via text messages to his fellow officers that he had been shot. Officers responded to assist Det. Ballard who was transported to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.
Det. Preece continued to follow Willis who began to shoot from his moving vehicle at Det. Preece who was struck in his right arm, grazed on the right side of his torso and one projectile going straight through the detective’s headrest, where he narrowly missed a potentially fatal gunshot wound. Det. Preece struck the Toyota Camry on the driver side in an effort to stop Willis who then exited the stolen vehicle and fled the scene. Det. Preece was subsequently transported to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.
On February 6, 2020, police executed a search of the residence and found an empty handgun case, ammunition box with ammunition and various CDS including a marijuana cigarette. The Latent Print Examiner examined the latent prints recovered from the interior and exterior storm door at the home and matched them to the defendant, who was identified as Joseph Robert Mitchel Willis. Later that day, police executed a search warrant for a home in the 1300 block of River Bank Court where they located Willis and two associates who were all arrested. Willis was arrested and fully advised of his Miranda Rights and he elected to speak to Anne Arundel County detectives and admitted to murdering Mr. Jones and shooting both Det. Ballard and Det. Preece.
02/07/2020: On Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at approximately 4:50 p.m., officers responded to a residence located in the 600 block of Newfield Road in Glen Burnie for a death investigation. Upon arrival officers discovered 44 year old Christopher Lawrence Jones deceased in the residence. Mr. Jones suffered significant trauma to the upper body.
Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Homicide detectives along with the Evidence Collection Unit responded and processed the crime scene. Evidence was collected and interviews were completed. During an interview it was learned that the victim’s vehicle was missing. The deceased was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. The cause of death was trauma to the upper body with the manner being homicide.
Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Homicide detectives initiated an investigation. At approximately 11:00 p.m., the Fugitive Apprehension Team and Homeland Security and Intelligence detectives observed Mr. Jones’ vehicle in the area of Fort Smallwood Road between Fort Armistead Road and Hawkins Point Road in Baltimore. Upon attempting to stop the vehicle the sole occupant shot at the detectives from within the vehicle. One detective was shot in the upper body and drove to a nearby convenience store to request assistance. The suspect then fled south on Fort Smallwood Road, pursued by multiple law enforcement officers to the Orchard Beach / Stoney Beach communities. The individual was pursued throughout the neighborhood at which time another detective was able to stop the suspect with his vehicle. At that time the suspect again opened fire, striking the detective in the upper body before fleeing on foot.
Shawn Ethan Taylor, 21
A perimeter was established and a search for the suspect was initiated. Both detectives were transported to an area trauma center for serious, life-threatening injuries. The detectives involved are Detective Scott Ballard (21 year veteran) assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension Team, and Detective Ian Preece (13 year veteran) assigned to the Homeland Security and Intelligence Unit.
The investigation and search for the at-large suspect continued throughout the night and following day. Detectives were able to obtain forensic evidence which led them to a person of interest and also enabled detectives to identify potential addresses of interest, including an address within the established perimeter where the suspect was believed to be secreted. Detectives obtained search warrants for two addresses and worked with the Anne Arundel County Special Operations Section and Maryland State Police State Team to formulate a plan to execute these warrants in a manner to ensure public safety as well as the safety of the officers.
Zachary Taylor, 23
A warrant was executed at a residence in the 1300 block of River Bank Court where detectives were able to apprehend the suspect, Joseph Robert Mitchell Willis, 22, of the 7700 block of Middlegate Court in Pasadena, without incident. At the residence, detectives located suspected Heroin/Fentanyl, Cocaine, Marijuana and LSD. Also taken into custody at this address were Shawn Ethan Taylor, 21, and Zachary Taylor, 23, who resided at that residence.
Another warrant was executed simultaneously in the 7700 block of Middlegate Court in Pasadena by the State Team where detectives found evidence of a small Marijuana grow operation as well as suspected Heroin/Fentanyl. Michelle Antoinette Fischer, 42, was taken into custody at this location. The total value of suspected controlled dangerous substances collected from the residences was approximately $17,000.
We are extremely grateful for the assistance of Maryland State Police, Natural Resources Police, Baltimore City Police for their assistance in this incident. We greatly appreciate the cooperation and support shown by the members of the Orchard Beach and Stoney Beach communities throughout the duration of this incident. We also want to thank the citizens and businesses of Anne Arundel County for the outpouring of support and prayers for our wounded officers. Finally, we wish to convey our utmost gratitude to the members of the media who helped keep our communities well informed throughout this incident.
Michelle Antoinette Fischer, 42
Even though an arrest has been made, the Anne Arundel County Police are urging anyone with information to come forward by calling the Anne Arundel County Homicide Unit at 410-222-4731. If people with information wish to remain anonymous they can also contact the Anne Arundel County Police Tip Line 410-222-4700 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP or Download P3Tips APP and Submit Your TIP or submit by web at http://metrocrimestoppers.org/
Arrested:
Joseph Robert Mitchell Willis
DOB: 12-29-1997
7700 block of Middle Gate Court
Pasadena, Maryland
Charges:
- First Degree Murder
- Attempted First Degree Murder
Arrested:
Shawn Ethan Taylor
1300 block of River Bank Court
Pasadena, Maryland
Charges:
- CDS: Pos W/I Dist: PCP/LSD/Hal
CDS: Poss Marijuana 10 Gm+
CDS: Possess-Not Marijuana (4 Cts.)
Arrested:
Zachary Evan Taylor
1300 block of River Bank Court
Pasadena, Maryland
Charges:
- CDS Poss W/Int To Dist
- CDS: Pos W/I Dist: PCP/LSD/Hal
- CDS: Poss Marijuana 10 Gm+
- CDS: Possess-Not Marijuana (4 cts.)
- CDS: Poss Paraphernalia
Arrested:
Mechelle Antoinette Fisher
7700 block of Middle Gate Court
Pasadena, Maryland
Charges:
- Manufacture CDS
CDS Poss Paraphernalia - CDS Poss Non Marijuana (3 cts)
Following an intensive investigation and search, Anne Arundel County Police detectives arrested 22 year old Joseph Robert Mitchell Willis of Pasadena, MD, charging him in connection with the murder of 44 year old Christopher Lawrence Jones, 44, of the 600 block of Newfield Road in Glen Burnie, and in connection with the shooting / attempted murder of one of our police detectives.
Willis has been charged with First Degree Murder and Attempted First Degree Murder. The investigation is on-going and additional charges will be placed.
Arrested:
Joseph Robert Mitchell Willis
DOB: 12-29-1997
7700 block of Middle Gate Court
Pasadena, Maryland
Charges:
First Degree Murder
Attempted First Degree Murder
Joseph Robert Mitchell Willis, 22, of Pasadena
