Officer Shot, Police Release Photos of Suspect after Gunfire Erupts in North Laurel

Update - Thursday - 9:30 a.m. - Police announced Thursday they arrested a suspect in the case. Full story - Police: Suspect Arrested in North Laurel Police Shooting

Police said an officer was shot Wednesday and the suspect remains at large after gunfire erupted on Route 1 in North Laurel around 4 p.m.

Police released two photos of a suspect, Stephon Prather, Wednesday night. The photos were taken from a surveillance video from a nearby business before the shooting and the other from his driver's license, according to police. Prather, 29, of no fixed address, is wanted for attempted murder of a police officer, among other charges.

Police are offering a reward up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Howard County Police reported the officer was shot near the 9500 block of Washington Blvd. (Route 1) and was transported to Shock Trauma.

The officer was identified as Steven Houk, 30, who has been with the department for two years. Police spokesperson Sherry Llewellyn said Houk is in serious condition, and that he's alert and talking.

Llewellyn said three officers responded to the area after a caller reported a man with a gun. When the officers arrived, the man "immediately" opened fire on the officers on the Route 1 roadway, striking Houk as the other two officers returned fire, according to Llewellyn.

Police said the suspect fled on foot into a wooded area. He was described as a black male, 6-foot-2, about 280 pounds and, at the time of the shooting, wearing a black jacket and gray pants. Police are searching an area at least a half mile wide, according to Llewellyn. 

The Laurel Police Department tweeted that over two dozen of its department's officers are assisting. Maryland State police, Anne Arundel county police, and Prince George's county police are also involved in the search. Llewellyn said police are using helicopters and canines to assist in the search.

Route 1 was closed in both directions between Whiskey Bottom Road and Gorman Road after the shooting.

Police advised residents in the area to be alert and lock their doors.

The area where the shooting occurred is near the Savage line and has warehouses, strip malls, woods and shipping centers.

Officer Houk was sworn in as part of the graduating class of Academy #36, according to the Howard County Police Facebook page. He is assigned to the Southern District Patrol.