Incident: Attempted Murder 1st Degree
On 7/11/2022 at approximately 9:53 PM, Troopers from the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack in Worcester County, Maryland received a 911 call in reference to a subject with possible gunshot wounds at 10022 Hayes Landing Road, Newark, Worcester County, Maryland.
Upon arrival police officers located Joseph Cooper III, 26 years of age, from Newark, Maryland with traumatic injuries to his head. Cooper III was transported by the Maryland State Police Aviation Command to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. Cooper III was treated and released from the hospital on 7/12/2022; it should be noted Cooper III did not sustain injuries from a gunshot.
Investigators from the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation were called to the scene to assume the investigation. The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation consists of members from the Maryland State Police, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Berlin Police Department, and the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office. Investigators learned that Kimberly Renee Worley, 31 years old from Pittsville, Maryland and two male subjects; Avontae Curtis Fortt, 27 years old from Salisbury, Maryland and Jaquan Frederick Cannon, 31 years old from Salisbury, Maryland arrived at 10022 Hayes Landing Road, Newark, Maryland to purchase a PlayStation from Cooper III. During the exchange Fortt struck Cooper III in the back of the head with a pistol while also firing several rounds from the gun. The subjects then fled the scene in a white Chevrolet Impala.
A broadcast was given to surrounding jurisdictions for the suspect vehicle. On 7/11/2022 at approximately 10:34 pm Troopers from the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack, and the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office located a vehicle matching this description travelling on Northbound Business Rt. 13 in Salisbury, Maryland. After failing to stop for emergency vehicles, the suspect vehicle was pursued by Deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect vehicle then failed to control its speed and collided with a fence in the area of Liberty Street and Rt. 13, Salisbury, Maryland at approximately 10:46 pm. Wicomico County Sheriff Deputies were able to detain all three occupants of the vehicle, identified above. During the arrest Avontae Fortt assaulted Wicomico County Deputies. A search of the vehicle revealed illegal narcotics and a loaded 9mm handgun.
Kimberly Worley was arrested on numerous warrants including; Burglary, Assault, Trespass in Wicomico County; Burglary and Theft in Worcester County. Worley has also been charged with convicted felon in possession of a firearm, loaded handgun in a vehicle, CDS possession not marijuana, attempted murder 1st degree, attempted murder 2nd degree, assault 1st degree, assault 2nd degree, and reckless endangerment. Worley is being held without bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center.
Jaquan Cannon was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Burglary, Trespass, and Assault in Wicomico County. Cannon was also charged with convicted felon in possession of a firearm, loaded handgun in a vehicle, CDS possession not marijuana. Cannon is being held without bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center.
Avontae Curtis Fortt has been charged with; convicted felon in possession of a firearm, loaded handgun in a vehicle, assault on a police officer, CDS possession not marijuana, attempted 1st degree murder, attempted 2nd degree murder, assault first degree, assault second degree, and reckless endangerment. Fortt is being held without bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center.
MEDIA CONTACT: Sgt. Carlisle Widdowson, carlisle.widdowson@maryland.gov