By Brian Gilliland, Associate Editor

(Oct. 26, 2017) Snow Hill police and Worcester County Sheriff’s office deputies found Deron Ames, 25, lying near the curb in the area of West Federal and Ross Streets around 7 p.m. Friday night after an unidentified person shot him.

Lt. Ed Schreier, public information officer for the Sheriff’s office, said Ames was listed in critical condition at Peninsula Regional Medical Center last Friday night.

The hospital, as a matter of policy, does not provide condition status updates on people believed to be crime victims.

Schreier said on Monday the office had identified a person of interest in the case, but had not yet taken that person into custody.

Residents outside heard at least six gunshots during the time of the incident. Schreier said only one weapon, a handgun, was fired.

No cause for the incident has been confirmed.

Schreier said Ames had been shot in the foot during a separate, previous incident that remains under investigation. He said more details would become available “when appropriate.”

Mayor Charlie Dorman said the topic is sure to come up during the next town work session scheduled for Oct. 30, but no specific ideas are under consideration.

The town has been dealing with noise complaints in the same area as the shooting. During a meeting in late August, Snow Hill police were directed to increase patrols in the area, which is adjacent to where the police park service-vehicles and is the former site of the police station itself.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the Worcester Bureau of Investigation at 410-632-1111 or call the Lower Eastern Shore Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Callers may remain anonymous.

The incident is being investigated by the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, composed of officers representing the Maryland State Police, Worcester County Sheriff’s office, the Pocomoke City Police Department and the Berlin Police Department.