In the quiet community of North Beach, Maryland, a violent altercation on the evening of June 26, 2024, ended the life of 39-year-old William Lee Hutcherson Jr. The incident, which unfolded in the parking lot of a residence on Sea Gull Court, stemmed from an argument between Hutcherson and a man he had brought to his home to see his pit bulls. That man was identified as Anthony Wayne Simpson Jr., a 40-year-old from Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Witnesses and surveillance footage later
revealed that what began as a verbal dispute between the two men escalated into a physical struggle. During the confrontation, Hutcherson was initially in possession of a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. However, the tide of the fight turned when Simpson managed to gain control of the firearm. It was at this point that a single, fatal shot was fired, striking Hutcherson in the upper torso. Deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff's Office and emergency medical services personnel arrived at the scene shortly after 9 p.m. to find Hutcherson lying on the sidewalk. Despite their efforts to render first aid, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
In a surprising turn of events, Simpson himself had contacted 911 to report the shooting and informed the dispatcher that he was the shooter. He remained at the scene and was taken into custody without incident by the responding deputies. He had placed the unloaded handgun near the front steps of the residence for law enforcement to recover. While being interviewed by detectives, Simpson reportedly made several spontaneous statements, alluding to being chased with a gun.
Further investigation into Simpson's background revealed that he was a convicted felon with a history of felony assault and was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. He was subsequently transported to the Calvert County Detention Center and charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, use of a firearm during a felony/violent crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
