Police light at a crime scene; file photo
Police Light at a Crime Scene; File Photo

Man dies a month after Dundalk attack now ruled a homicide

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1 min read
February 17, 2026

TOWSON, MD – The Baltimore County Police Department has launched a full-scale homicide investigation after a Dundalk man who was assaulted during a reported burglary last month died from his injuries, officials announced Tuesday.

On January 13, at around 2:35 p.m., officers from Precinct 12 responded to the 2000 block of Kelmore Road for a call initially reported as a burglary. When they arrived, they discovered 51-year-old Christopher Stafford suffering from severe trauma to his upper body and unresponsive.

Stafford was rushed to a local hospital where he remained under medical care for a month before succumbing to his injuries on February 13. Following an autopsy, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide, confirming that Stafford’s fatal injuries were consistent with an assault.

Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit are now piecing together the sequence of events leading to the attack. Investigators have not yet released information about any suspects or possible motives but are urging anyone with knowledge of the incident to come forward.

Police seek public’s help and offer reward

Authorities are appealing to the community for assistance as the investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call Baltimore County detectives at 410-887-4636.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland by calling 1-866-7LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587). Information leading to an arrest and charges in the case may qualify for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

  • Christopher Stafford, 51, died a month after being attacked during a burglary
  • Death ruled a homicide by the medical examiner
  • Police ask the public for information and are offering a reward through Crime Stoppers

Justice sought in Dundalk as homicide detectives pursue new leads.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

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