Prince George’s County police are searching for a man wanted in connection with a March homicide after the suspect was erroneously released on bond.
Fredrick Lawrence Scott was one of two men arrested by police in connection to the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Phillip Watson on March 4 outside the Surf Club in Edmonston. The Department of Corrections was supposed to hold the 24-year-old Chillum resident without bond after he was arrested in Las Vegas in May and extradited to Prince George’s County.
Because of a clerical error, Scott posted bond and was released, police said. A bench warrant was issued for Scott’s arrest on Nov. 18 after officials discovered the error.
Police also arrested 24-year-old Hyattsville resident Malik Huff in May in connection to the shooting.
Watson, of Northeast D.C., was found suffering from gunshot wounds to his body at 1 a.m. just a few blocks from the Surf Club. Before the shooting, police received reports of a large fight inside the club. Watson was taken to Prince George’s Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Police described Scott, of the 1900 block of Oliver Street, as a black male, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing about 155 pounds.
The Surf Club, known for years for the rowdy crowds attracted by its live music, held its last show on Oct. 26 and is now closed.
Prince George’s County passed new legislation this summer giving county police broader authority to shut down clubs and dance halls with violent reputations. So far police have shut down two venues with the law in response to violent crimes. Police shuttered MSG nightclub in Capitol Heights after a woman was shot in the head during an early-morning drive-by shooting. And in October, police closed the Family Restaurant in Temple Hills after one man was shot and three others stabbed in an altercation stemming from a fight inside the restaurant.
Anyone with information about Scott’s whereabouts is asked to contact police at 301-772-4925. Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS (8477) or visit the website here.
