UPDATE: Waldorf Teen Charged with First-Degree Murder After Admitting to Fatally Stabbing Stepfather

UPDATE 10/6/2025: Sean Michael Smith, 18, of Waldorf, has been charged with first-degree murder and multiple related offenses following the fatal stabbing of his stepfather during a domestic dispute at their home on October 3, 2025.

According to court documents filed in Charles County District Court, deputies from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 9-1-1 call made around 8:43 p.m. by Smith, who reported that he had stabbed his stepfather during an argument. Officers located Smith a few houses away from the residence on Orkney Place and detained him without incident.

Upon entering the home, officers found the victim, identified in court records as 45-year-old, Damian Hodges, lying on the garage floor with a stab wound to the upper body. Life-saving measures were initiated by officers and EMS personnel, but the victim was pronounced dead at 9:11 p.m. at the scene.

A witness in the home told detectives that she saw both Sean Smith and Damian Hodges in the garage during the altercation. She stated that she heard them arguing and saw Smith retreat into the residence. When he returned, the witness reported, “he was holding a knife.” She said Smith approached Hodges, and the two began to tussle before Smith stabbed him. She also said she observed Hodges bleeding while he remained in the garage.

Smith was taken to the Charles County Detention Center, where he was advised of his Miranda and Advice of Rights. He agreed to speak with detectives and gave a detailed account of what had occurred. According to court documents, Smith stated that he and his stepfather “got into a verbal and physical fight in the garage,” during which Hodges “struck me in the face multiple times with a closed fist.” Smith said he then “retreated into the residence and retrieved a knife from the kitchen, which is located on the level above the garage.” Upon returning to the garage, Smith said he “displayed the knife to Damian,” who responded by saying, “you’re not going to use that knife.” Smith told detectives that Hodges punched him again with a closed fist, and “then I stabbed him in the chest one time.” He stated that he then called 9-1-1 and requested an ambulance. Smith also told officers that he “took the knife I used and threw it inside of a trash can.”

The following day, investigators executed a search and seizure warrant at the residence. A blue-handled knife was recovered from a black trash can in the garage, lying on top of trash bags. Detectives noted that the knife matched the description provided by Smith, who had identified it as the weapon used in the stabbing. Smith was positively identified through his Maryland driver’s license.

Smith has been formally charged with five offenses: first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment. He appeared before a judicial officer on October 4, 2025, and was advised of his charges and right to counsel. He was represented remotely at the initial appearance by court-appointed attorney Richard Rudasill. Smith was ordered held without bond. A bail review hearing will be held on October 6, 2025, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 28, 2025, at the Charles County District Court in La Plata.

The investigation is ongoing, and detectives are encouraging anyone with information about the case to contact Detective J. Smith at 301-609-6479. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS, submitting tips online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com , or using the P3Intel mobile app.

UPDATE 10/6/2025: On October 3 at 8:43 p.m., officers responded to the 9700 block of Orkney Place in Waldorf for the report of a stabbing after a male called 9-1-1 and reported that he had stabbed his stepfather.

Upon arrival, officers located the victim with multiple stab wounds. Officers and EMS attempted life-saving measures; however, the victim died of his injuries on the scene.

Officers arrested Sean Michael Smith, age 18, of Waldorf, and charged him with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and other charges.

The victim was identified as Damian Ramon Hodges, age 45, of Waldorf.

A preliminary investigation showed the suspect and victim were arguing when the victim was stabbed.

Detectives are continuing to investigate and ask anyone with additional information about this case to contact Detective J. Smith at 301-609-6479.

Tipsters who want to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app.

Smith is currently being held at the Charles County Detention Center without bond.

UPDATE 10/4/2025: Sean Michael Smith, 18, of Waldorf, has been charged with first-degree murder and multiple related offenses following a fatal stabbing incident that occurred on the evening of October 3, 2025, according to court documents filed with the District Court for Charles County.

Smith faces five total charges: first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment. The charges stem from an incident reported just after 5:20 p.m. on October 3, 2025, in the 9700 block of Orkney Place in Waldorf.

According to emergency dispatch information, a 911 caller reported being involved in an argument with a family member and stated that they had stabbed the victim, who was possibly not breathing. The caller, later identified as Smith, then became uncooperative with dispatchers.

Units from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, fire department, and emergency medical services responded to the scene. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male victim who was unresponsive. The suspect, identified as Smith, remained on the scene and was detained without incident.

Officers initiated CPR and other life-saving measures on the victim, noting multiple stab wounds to the chest. EMS personnel arrived shortly afterward and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.

Smith was taken into custody and is currently being held without bond. A bail review hearing is scheduled for October 6, 2025, at the Charles District Court. A preliminary hearing has been set for October 28, 2025.

The case remains under investigation by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.

10/3/2025: On Friday, October 3, 2025, at approximately 5:20 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 9700 block of Orkney Place in Waldorf, for the reported stabbing with one possibly not breathing.

The 911 caller reported that while they were in an argument with a family member, they stabbed the victim and advised he was possibly not breathing and then became uncooperative with dispatchers.

Police quickly arrived on the scene to find the victim not breathing and the suspect still on the scene.

The suspect was detained without any further incident as other officers began performing CPR and life-saving measures on the victim, with officers advising to EMS the victim had multiple stab wounds to the chest.

EMS arrived on the scene and confirmed the victim deceased a short time later.

The investigation is ongoing. The suspect/911 caller was immediately detained on the scene with no known threat to the public ongoing.

Updates will be provided as they become available.

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