Two Subjects Charged with Reckless Endangerment After Target Practicing in an Unsafe Manner

Talbot County, MD - The Talbot County Sheriff's Office, Criminal Investigations Division, is investigating a shooting that took place in the 10000 block of Bayside Drive in Claiborne, Maryland.

Two suspects involved have been charged accordingly with their involvement.
Thomas F. Murphy, 30, of Millersville, Maryland and Daniel P. Rauch, 30, of Mount Airy, Maryland have been charged with one count each of reckless endangerment.

On Saturday, February 14, 2026, at about 5:40 p.m., Deputies from the Talbot County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a residence in the 10000 block of Bayside Drive in Claiborne for a report of multiple shots being fired at a residence.

The caller reported hearing 30 to 40 gunshots.

Investigation revealed the residence was struck by one round that penetrated the residence through a window.

The occupant of the residence was not struck by the projectile but did sustain minor injuries from debris caused by the projectile entering the residence. The occupant declined medical treatment.

Deputies responded to the 7000 block of Tilghman Island Road and learned Thomas Murphy and Daniel Rauch were target shooting on the property with a rifle. Deputies determined the subjects were target shooting in an unsafe manner.

The residence that sustained damage was approximately 900 yards away. Investigators seized a rifle, ammunition, and multiple spent shell casings. No additional homes were identified as being damaged.

Investigation revealed Murphy and Rauch were not prohibited from possessing firearms.

Investigators submitted applications for criminal charges for Murphy and Rauch to the District Court Commissioner. The court commissioner issued a criminal summons charging each subject with one count of reckless endangerment.

Murphy and Rauch met with deputies on Saturday, February 21, 2026, and were served with a copy of the criminal summons and were released on their signatures.

The sheriff's office was assisted by members of the Maryland State Police-Easton Barrack and Department of Natural Resources Police.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 410-822-1020.

Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.