Key Points
- Omar Shariff Harrison, 49, was charged after allegedly setting a fire inside his home while his wife and two children slept
- Harrison reportedly poured gasoline on the bed and ignited it during an early morning domestic incident
- All family members escaped unharmed, and Harrison was arrested after a traffic stop
A Maryland man is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder and arson, after allegedly trying to set fire to his home while his wife and children were inside early Friday morning.
Just after 5 a.m., deputies responded to a call from a home on Eutaw Forest Drive in Waldorf following a report of a domestic disturbance. According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, the incident came just hours after authorities had responded to a previous domestic dispute at the same residence. At that time, the couple agreed to stay in separate areas of the house overnight.
Investigators say that early Friday, Omar Shariff Harrison entered his wife’s bedroom and poured gasoline on the bed where she was sleeping. He reportedly trailed gasoline down the stairs and set fire to the sheets before extinguishing the flames himself.
His wife and their two children were able to flee the home safely and called 911.
Deputy State Fire Marshals, aided by K9 “Taylor,” determined that the fire was intentionally set and linked to the earlier domestic incident. Damage to the home was limited to about $500, but authorities said Harrison had previously threatened to burn the house down.
Harrison was located shortly after during a traffic stop and arrested. He was transported to the Charles County Detention Center, where he remains in custody awaiting a bond review.
Harrison has been charged with attempted murder, first- and second-degree arson, first-degree malicious burning, reckless endangerment, and making an arson threat.
