Jessie Eugene Moon, 60, of Waldorf
UPDATE 4/13/2026: Jessie Eugene Moon, 60, of Waldorf, is charged with first-degree assault, wearing or carrying a handgun on his person, wearing or carrying a loaded handgun on his person, use of a firearm in a felony or violent crime, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment following an April 11, 2026 incident at Smallwood Village Center in Waldorf.
According to the statement of probable cause, deputies with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched at approximately 3:05 p.m. to The Liquor Store on Smallwood Village Center for a report of shots fired. Dispatch advised that “two males possibly pulled handguns out and pointed them at each other,” and that a store clerk reported a suspect had fled the area.
Investigators reviewed store security footage, which, according to court records, showed two men arguing outside the business. The footage allegedly showed a man later identified as Moon walking away from a red car with a handgun in his right hand, pointing it at an adult male victim wearing a white shirt. The documents state the video showed that individual “fired one round towards the black male wearing a white shirt” before returning to the vehicle and leaving the scene.
Officers located the adult male victim near the P.D. Brown Library. According to the filing, he initially told officers that he “was not victim or suspect,” that he “just heard some people arguing,” and that “someone told him someone may have fired round in the area.” He also stated he “had no part in anything that took place there.”
Witnesses provided additional accounts. One witness told officers he was with friends near the store when two men began arguing and said he heard “approximately one gunshot” after moving a five-month-old female infant to safety inside a nearby store. An adult female victim told deputies she had her infant with her when the argument began and said she instructed another person to take the child into Safeway for safety. She confirmed she “did hear one gunshot in the area,”.
Charging documents state the alleged gunfire created a “substantial risk of death or serious physical injury” to the adult male victim, the adult female victim, and the five-month-old female.
Police later located Moon near a wooded area by Safeway. According to the report, as officers approached, Moon raised his hands and stated, “someone shot at me, let me tell you what happened.” After being detained, Moon told officers that his nephew had “pointed gun at him and accused him of stealing his weed,” repeatedly stating that his nephew was the one who initially threatened him.
Officers reported that video evidence contradicted parts of Moon’s initial statements. According to court documents, investigators identified Moon in the footage holding a handgun and firing a shot. A 9mm shell casing was recovered at the scene.
During interviews, the adult male victim later acknowledged there had been an argument with Moon about marijuana. According to the filing, he said he “never pulled out handgun during the argument” and stated that Moon “is not allowed to have handgun” but “will carry his brother’s handgun from time to time.”
Moon also provided a recorded statement after being advised of his rights. According to the documents, he initially denied having a firearm, then claimed “it was just BB gun, not real handgun.” After being confronted with evidence of a recovered casing, Moon told detectives he did have a handgun and said that after his nephew pointed a gun at him, he exited the vehicle and “fired one shot into the air.”
Moon further stated the gun belonged to his brother and described it as a black 9mm handgun. He told investigators he returned to Norwood Court in Waldorf after the incident, then walked back to Smallwood Village Center with the firearm. According to the filing, he said he hid the gun “on path in the woods” near the Safeway and covered it with leaves, adding that the only person who knew its location was someone he identified as “Bucket Head.”
Investigators searched the area, including using a K-9, but were unable to locate the firearm.
After being confronted again, the adult male victim revised his account and told officers that Moon arrived at the scene with a handgun in his lap, exited the vehicle, pointed the gun at him, and fired one round. He also confirmed the argument involved accusations over marijuana and a dispute involving a female acquaintance.
Authorities also confirmed through the Maryland Gun Center that Moon is prohibited from possessing firearms, according to the court documents.
Moon was arrested and transported to the Charles County Detention Center without incident. Court records show he is being held without bond following a bail review hearing on April 13, 2026. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 12, 2026, in Charles District Court.
4/12/2026: Jessie Eugene Moon, 60, of Waldorf, is facing multiple charges including first-degree assault and firearm-related offenses following an alleged incident on April 11, 2026, according to court documents.
Charging documents filed in the District Court for Charles County show that Moon is charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, wearing or carrying a handgun on his person, and wearing or carrying a loaded handgun on his person.
The charges stem from an incident reported on April 11, 2026. Authorities allege there was probable cause to support each of the listed charges.
The arrest was made by Officer N. Oliver of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.
Following an initial appearance on April 12, 2026, Moon was ordered to be held without bond. Court records indicate he is currently being held pending further hearings.
A bail review hearing is scheduled for April 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Charles District Court. A preliminary hearing is set for May 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
No additional details about the circumstances of the alleged incident were provided in the court documents.
