Two people arrested for attempted murder in Somerset County

PRINCESS ANNE – Maryland State Police arrested two men on attempted murder charges yesterday after they reportedly set fire to a residence with two people inside.

The defendants are Lascelles David Beckford, 37, a resident of Somerset County, and Dante Jamar Stone, 34, of Salisbury. Both are charged with attempted first-degree murder and arson, as well as misdemeanors including burglary, reckless endangerment and malicious damage to property. They are being held without bail at the Somerset County Detention Center.

On August 13, 2024, at approximately 3:45 p.m., the Princess Anne Barrack received a report of two men attempting to illegally enter a residence in the 12000 block of Independence Court in Princess Anne. Preliminary investigation indicates the men set fire to the back of the home with gasoline and blocked the front door with a mattress before leaving the scene.

Officers from Princess Anne Barrack responded and observed two individuals matching the description walking around the area with a gasoline can. According to investigators, the suspect carrying the gasoline can, later identified as Beckford, fled on foot before being arrested. Police pulled a 14-inch machete from his waistband.

Maryland State Police, officers from the Somerset County Sheriff's Office and officers from the Princess Anne Police Department searched the area and located the second suspect, identified as Stone. He was arrested without incident.

Investigators believe Beckford and Stone knew the residents of the house. No injuries were reported.

The State Fire Marshal's Office was on scene with a sniffer dog to assess the fire's origin and concluded that the fire was intentionally set. Investigators with the Maryland State Police Princess Anne Barrack are leading the investigation, which will be submitted to the Somerset County District Attorney's Office upon completion. The investigation is being assisted by the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division Eastern Region. The investigation is ongoing.