On February 4th, 2025, at 9:16 AM, Taneytown Police responded to a call at Bollinger Park on Fringer Road after trailgoers discovered an apparent suicide.
Officers confirmed the individual, later identified as 22-year-old Justin Rieger of Taneytown, was dead from an apparent gunshot wound.
…The deceased has been identified as Justin Rieger, 22, of Taneytown. Next of kin has been notified.
Taneytown Police Department
At this time, Bollinger Park remains closed. We will notify the community when it reopens. There is no threat to the public.
Our sincere condolences are with the family and friends of Mr. Rieger.
Any further inquiries about this incident can be directed to the Maryland State Police, as they are the lead agency of this investigation.
Highlights
- The family had explicitly requested that his name not be made public, and the department deeply regrets not honoring that request.
- On January 15, Justin Rieger took to Facebook to share his thoughts and frustrations after receiving a call on January 6th informing him of an allegation against him.
- His wife explained that Justin had been forced to step down and remain silent, unable to explain his side of the story.
A firearm was discovered nearby, and the deceased’s vehicle was located in the parking lot and secured for investigation.
Maryland State Police Crime Scene and Forensic Investigators have taken over the case.
Justin Rieger was a Francis Scott Key High School volunteer who helped the Girl’s Tennis team as a head coach.
He also worked as an evening teacher at the Carroll County Outdoor School.
Further, he served as a financial adviser at Accounting & Finance, helping clients manage their finances with expertise and care.
Malicious Allegation Against Justin Rieger Took A Toll Against Him And His Family
Justin’s family had explicitly requested that his name not be made public, and the department deeply regrets not honoring that request.
Thus, the Taneytown Police Department extended condolences to the family and responded regarding their privacy.
I would like to extend my condolences to the family and to the community. We are all saddened by today’s tragedy. I had staff place a notification on our Facebook as is our custom. I have spoken to some of you who have reached out after our most recent post, and I want to take the opportunity to address some of those concerns. Early on there were all types of speculations and mistruths being tossed about through our community. People were speculating what happened, why something happened, who did what, and why. It is my responsibility to report the facts and that is what I wanted to accomplish.
Chief Baker
Today’s devastation is difficult, and situations like this are difficult when balancing privacy and transparency. I wanted our community to know that they can feel safe in our parks and that this was an isolated incident. I have met with members of the family and expressed my sincere apology If our post caused them any further distress as that would never be my intent.
As this is a sensitive matter; we are providing resources below. Should you need further assistance regarding this matter please feel free to contact me.
A notification was posted on the department’s Facebook page as part of their usual practice.
After the post, the department spoke with several community members who reached out, and it was essential to address some of the concerns raised.
Early on, many rumors and false information were circulating in the community, with people speculating about what happened, why it happened, and who was involved.
On January 15, Justin Rieger took to Facebook to share his thoughts and frustrations after receiving a call on January 6th informing him of an allegation against him.
Although no details were provided, he was told to isolate himself and refrain from speaking to anyone.
The emotional toll of this period led Justin to decide to step down from his volunteer role with Young Life.
In his post, Justin also shared that Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS) placed him on administrative leave without further information about the allegation.
He was informed that the investigation could take months but refused to remain silent.
Then, on January 25, Justin Rieger’s wife shared a heartfelt post on Facebook about the emotional toll of witnessing people, whom she considered dear friends, turn against Justin and spread lies about him.
She described Justin as someone who had always been a devoted servant, passionate about sharing the gospel and helping others.
She also recalled how Justin had always been there for others in times of need, whether it was buying a bike for someone who was stolen or simply offering support and comfort during challenging moments.
His wife explained that Justin had been forced to step down and remain silent, unable to explain his side of the story.
Additional Information
- He graduated from the University of Maryland on June 6, 2019.
- Justin married Anne Rieger on September 21, 2024.
- None have come forward to clear out the allegation he faced.
